Visa exemption policy for ASEAN tour groups promotes cultural exchanges

KUNMING — On Friday, a group of 15 tourists from Thailand and Laos wrapped up their four-day trip to the Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province, boarding the China-Laos Railway for their return journey.

It was the first tour group from members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to travel to the prefecture since China introduced its new visa relaxation policy. Since Feb 10, tour groups from ASEAN countries have been allowed to visit Xishuangbanna, a popular tourist destination in Yunnan, without a visa for up to six days.

China and ASEAN have long been key tourist markets for each other. Official data showed that in 2024, Xishuangbanna received 319,500 overseas visitors, a year-on-year increase of 264.67 percent. Laos, Thailand and Myanmar were the top contributors.