In a significant move to boost tourism and strengthen regional ties, the Chinese mainland announced on Monday a new visa relaxation policy. This initiative allows tour groups from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to visit Xishuangbanna, a renowned tourist destination in Yunnan Province, without a visa for up to six days.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) highlighted that this policy aims to enhance tourism in southwest China, expand international openness, promote personnel exchanges, and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and ASEAN. By facilitating easier access, China hopes to attract more visitors and foster closer cultural and economic connections.
Under the new policy, ASEAN tour groups from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, when organized by Chinese travel agencies, can enter Xishuangbanna through the Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan railway port, and Mohan highway port. This streamlined entry process is expected to make travel more convenient and appealing for tourists from these nations.
China has been progressively easing its visa policies to encourage more foreign travelers and business professionals to visit. To date, the Chinese mainland has established comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 25 countries, implemented unilateral visa-free policies for 38 countries, and transit visa-free policies for 54 countries. These measures have significantly contributed to increasing the number of international visitors.
The effectiveness of these policies was evident during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday, which spanned from January 28 to February 4. According to the NIA, China recorded 958,000 cross-border trips made by foreigners during this period, marking a 22.9 percent increase compared to the previous year. This surge underscores the positive impact of visa-free initiatives and facilitation measures in attracting more visitors to China.
Reference(s):
China grants visa-free entry to ASEAN tour groups to Xishuangbanna
cgtn.com
