China has unveiled a new visa relaxation policy, allowing tour groups from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to visit Xishuangbanna, a stunning tourist destination in Yunnan Province, visa-free for up to six days.
The policy, announced on Monday by the National Immigration Administration (NIA), aims to boost tourism in southwest China and deepen the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership. “This move is expected to expand opening up, promote personnel exchanges, and strengthen ties between China and ASEAN countries,” the NIA stated.
Tourist groups organized by Chinese travel agencies can enter Xishuangbanna via the Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, the Mohan railway port, and the Mohan highway port. This makes travel more accessible than ever for visitors from ASEAN nations, which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
China has been actively easing its visa policies to encourage more foreign travelers and business people to visit the country. So far, comprehensive mutual visa exemptions have been established with 25 countries, unilateral visa-free policies with 38 countries, and transit visa-free policies with 54 countries.
Thanks to these efforts, China saw a significant increase in foreign visitors during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday. The NIA reported that 958,000 cross-border trips were made by foreigners during the holiday, a 22.9 percent rise compared to the previous year’s Spring Festival.
