China grants visa-free entry to ASEAN tour groups visiting Xishuangbanna

China allows tour groups from ASEAN countries to visit Xishuangbanna in Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, free of visa, for up to six days, the National Immigration Administration announced on Monday.

Starting from February 10, tourist groups from 10 ASEAN nations – Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia – are permitted visa-free entry and exit as groups via Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway, and the Mohan Highway, according to the announcement.

Tourists must remain within Xishuangbanna's administrative region, with a maximum stay of six days, the administration said.

This policy is an important measure to expand China's opening-up in a structured manner  and bolster Yunnan’s role as a regional hub for South and Southeast Asia, said an official from the administration. This initiative will boost tourism development in Southwest China, facilitating exchanges between people from China and other countries, and strengthen China-ASEAN strategic cooperation.

Going forward, the National Immigration Administration will continue to advance immigration management reforms, attract more foreigners to travel and conduct business in China, further stimulate inbound tourism growth, support China's broader opening-up and economic growth, the official said.