45th International Symposium on Forecasting | Beijing, China

Beijing, China

Beijing is the capital city of the People’s Republic of China, is the nation’s political, economic, and cultural center.  Located in North China, bordered with the port city of Tianjin and partially surrounded by Hebei Province.  Beijing serves the most important transportation hub and port of entry.  Beijing boasts iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall of China. The city’s cultural scene includes traditional theaters, contemporary art galleries, and bustling markets. Beijing is also a hub for international business and diplomacy, hosting numerous conferences and events throughout the year.

For more information

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Visa-free Policy to Ordinary Passport Holders

From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan and Negara Brunei Darussalam, holding ordinary passports can be exempted from a visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visits and transit purposes. We strongly recommend that attendees check the latest updates from your local Chinese Embassy/Consulate.

Chinese Visa

  • Regular visa application

To avoid any potential delays or complications, we recommend conference attendees who need to apply for a Chinese visa to attend the event in China submit their visa applications as early as possible. For more information about the application procedure and different visa types, please check the step-by-step guide.

If you would like to obtain an official invitation letter issued by the ISF 2025 committee, please visit FAQ page to submit your request or email to isf@forecasters.org.

We strongly encourage you to review the latest notices and requirements from the Chinese embassy in your region to ensure a smooth application process.

  • Length of Application Time

Normally, the Chinese Embassy or Consulate issues a visa within 4 to 5 working days and the date of passport collection will be indicated on the pick-up sheet. However, the Embassy or Consulate reserves the right to extend the visa processing time in some special cases. For applicants, it is recommended to submit your visa application about one month before the planned date of entry.

  • Application Fee

Please check the official website of the local Chinese Embassy/Consulate.

  • 240-Hour Visa Free Transit Policy

Travelers from 54 countries with valid travel documents and confirmed onward tickets can enjoy a 240-hour visa-free transit in Beijing. For details and eligible countries, visit the National Immigration Administration website.

Transportation

Beijing, a sprawling metropolis, is home to over 21 million people. This vast population makes it one of the most populous cities in the world. Navigating Beijing’s transportation system can be a bit overwhelming, but with a few tips, you can get around efficiently with subway, buses, taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Didi Chuxing and Uber are also available in Beijing.

Here are some transportation tips to help you reach the ISF25 conference venue.

Local attractions

  • The Forbidden City
  • Tiananmen Square
  • The Hutongs and Courtyard Homes
  • Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple)
  • The Great Wall of China
  • The Summer Palace
  • Olympic Park

Find more information here.

Post tour

Half-day tour*

  • Option 1: Mutianyu Great Wall (Cost is approx $100/person)
  • Option 2: The Summer Palace (Cost is approx $80/person)
  • Option 3: Tian’anmen Square & The Palace Museum (Cost is approx $80/person)

One-day tour*

  • Option 1: Mutianyu Great Wall + The Summer Palace (Cost is approx $110/person)
  • Option 2: The Palace Museum + Shichahai/Houhai Hutong tour (Cost is approx $100/person)

Find more information here.  To book a tour, please submit this registration form.

*12 persons minimum to form a tour.