China grants Asean tour groups visa-free access to Yunnan travel hub

Tourists from Southeast Asian bloc countries may visit Xishuangbanna – known for ethnic minority cultures – for up to six days

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Tourists visit a night fair in the southwestern Chinese city of Jinghong in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture in February 2023. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 4:14pm, 10 Feb 2025

China said it would allow tour groups from Asean countries to visit Xishuangbanna – an area in the southwestern province of Yunnan known for its ethnic minority cultures – without a visa for up to six days.

The policy, announced by the National Immigration Administration on Monday, took effect immediately.

The new measure applies to groups of two or more passport holders from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The bloc’s members are Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

To take advantage of the visa-free policy, the groups must travel with a Chinese travel agency. The tour group members must also enter and leave China together.

Located in southern Yunnan and bordering Laos and Myanmar, Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture is one of China’s top attractions for both domestic and foreign visitors.

It is known for its lush tropical rainforests and rich cultural diversity, particularly the vibrant traditions of the Dai ethnic group, whose culture is closely related to that of Thai people. The area is also home to distinctive temples and a range of ecotourism activities.