History and Relics

Evidence of historical record and excavated relics has proved that the city has stood on its current site for well over 3,000 years. It was the capital city for Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties in ancient and contemporary Chinese history.

With the founding of People's Republic of China on October 1st, 1949, Beijing became the capital of the new republic and has since developed itself into the political and cultural center of China and international exchange hub. Cultural relics in Beijing like the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Zhoukoudian Peking Man Relics, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Place and the Ming Tombs are World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites recognized by the United Nations.

Modern Beijing

Great changes have taken place since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. By 2001, the population exceeded 12.5 million, and the total municipal area was increased to over 17,800 square kilometers. A traffic network of six concentric beltways, 28 radial roads, and underground and suburban railways are being further developed to link the city center with outlying areas and surrounding towns. As the cultural center of modern China, Beijing is rich in its cultural traditions and its modern cultural environment is full of vigor.

Beijing is now a thriving international metropolis and is undergoing a transformation in preparation for the Olympic Games in 2008.

Weather

September in Beijing is the best and most beautiful of seasons. The average daytime temperature is 20.0oC, quite comfortable for shirtsleeves. The temperature does fall at night and a light raincoat would be appropriate. However, rain is rare in September.

Airport

Beijing Capital International Airport is the nearest to the symposium venue, located less than 36 kilometers from Tsinghua University and conference hotels. Daily domestic and international connections are available. There will be an IAFSS Meeting service desk at the airport to guide all of the delegates to get their hotels easily on 18 September, 2005.

Tsinghua University

The Campus of Tsinghua University is situated on several former royal gardens of the Qing Dynasty, surrounded by a few historical sites in northwest Beijing. Tsinghua University was established in 1911. Since 1978, during the period of reform and opening to the rest of the world, Tsinghua University has gradually restored such disciplines as science, economic management, humanities and law. In less than 100 years, Tsinghua University has witnessed and shared the hardships and glories of the nation.

Website: www.tsinghua.edu.cn/eng/index.htm

USTC

University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), another co-organizer, is one of the most famous universities in China. State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, the only national-level research institution on fire science research, locates in the campus of USTC.