(ECNS) -- A 15-member tourist group from Laos and Thailand entered China through the Mohan Port on Sunday afternoon, becoming the first ASEAN tourist group to visit Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province under a newly implemented visa-free policy.
The policy, announced by China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) on Feb. 10, allows tourist groups from ASEAN countries to enjoy visa exemptions to enter Xishuangbanna, marking a significant step in promoting personnel exchanges and helping deepen the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The entire group completed entry procedures in less than 10 minutes before boarding the C386 Fuxing bullet train on the China-Laos Railway to Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna, on a three-day tour of China.
“The visa-free policy has reduced travel costs and saved us a lot of time on paperwork,” said a tourist from Laos.
Upon arrival in Jinghong, the group was greeted with a welcome ceremony organized by local authorities.
Jiang Jie, deputy director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau of Xishuangbanna, highlighted efforts to enhance the tourist experience, including multilingual signage, smart tour facilities, and a one-stop service center at the Xishuangbanna Tourism Hub.
The center provides foreign visitors with travel consultations, transportation connections, and diversified payment options, according to Jiang.
Located in the southernmost part of China’s Yunnan Province, Xishuangbanna borders Laos and Myanmar, operating several flight routes to Laos, Thailand, and beyond. It is also linked to the Indochina Peninsula via the China-Laos Railway.
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