* Since Feb. 10, tour groups from ASEAN countries have been allowed to visit Xishuangbanna, a popular tourist destination in Yunnan Province, without a visa for up to six days.
* 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.
* People-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN are entering a new stage, with deeper cooperation in tourism, culture and other fields.
KUNMING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- On Friday, a group of 15 tourists from Thailand and Laos wrapped up their four-day trip to southwest China's Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, boarding the China-Laos Railway for their return journey.
It is the first tour group from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states 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 Province, without a visa for up to six days.
Tourists from a tour group, the first one from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states since China introduced its new visa relaxation policy, pose for photos in front of the Xishuangbanna railway station in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)
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.
This visa exemption policy marks the start of a new chapter in cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN, said Qi Xiaobo from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, adding that it signals China's dedication to strengthening ties with the regional bloc.
GROWING TOURISM INDUSTRY
"Still want more," Somnham Sithone, a Lao tourist in the group, said after visiting Xishuangbanna Virgin Forest Park. He also experienced a 7D movie featuring the Mekong River. "It is a perfect blend of nature and technology. I hope to explore more places in China."
Guided by a local travel agency, the tour group was immersed in natural scenery, sampled local cuisine and experienced Dai ethnic culture, including a traditional Dai dance and a water blessing ceremony.
"Even though they are the first group with visa-free access, coordination between the border inspection bureau, public security bureau and travel agency has been smooth and efficient," said Yu Hanla, the group's tour guide.
Staff members help tourists from a tour group, the first one from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states since China introduced its new visa relaxation policy, check out of Xishuangbanna railway station in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)
According to Jiang Jie, deputy director of the culture and tourism bureau of Xishuangbanna, the prefecture has launched 18 tourist routes, offering the opportunity to explore the area's heritage and experience its culture.
"We are designing more diverse routes tailored to ASEAN tourists, including tropical rainforest adventures and ethnic cultural activities," said Liu Jun, general manager of a local travel agency.
The influx of tourists is also a boon for hospitality, travel agencies and other sectors, and promotes the development of infrastructure, Qi said. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing services for international visitors, such as multilingual guides and signage, and financial services.
Yu, who has nearly 10 years of experience as a tour guide and speaks both Thai and Lao in addition to her native tongue, returned to her hometown of Xishuangbanna from Beijing after the launch of the China-Laos Railway. "It is fulfilling to work in my hometown, and it provides a good income," she said.
DEEPENING CULTURAL TIES
Cultural exchanges between China and ASEAN are expanding beyond tourism. As Chinese culture gains influence across the region, an increasing number of people from ASEAN countries are eager to learn the Chinese language.
Tourists from a tour group, the first one from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states since China introduced its new visa relaxation policy, dance with Chinese tourists and staff members at a scenic spot in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)
Fluent in Mandarin, Le Anh Lien, a 24-year-old from Vietnam, introduces Vietnamese specialties to customers in a cross-border food shop at Tianbao Port in Malipo County. Her language proficiency helped her secure her first job in Yunnan.
According to a report from VietnamWorks, a job platform in Vietnam, students proficient in Chinese have an almost 100 percent chance of securing employment after graduation.
The number of Lao students learning Chinese is also on the rise, with many pursuing vocational training in fields like logistics, e-commerce, tourism management and sports, said Zhou Bo, head of a vocational school in Mengla County in Xishuangbanna, adding that the school expects to welcome more than 500 new Lao students on Sunday.
Data shows that the number of exchange students between China and ASEAN countries has surpassed 175,000, and collaborative projects between schools continue to grow, expanding the talent pool for both sides.
"People-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN are entering a new stage, with deeper cooperation in tourism, culture and other fields," said Jia Chaozhishan with the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences.
(Reporting by Wang Yihan, Ji Zhepeng, Wang Xiansi; video reporter: Xiong Xuanang; video editors: Zhang Yueyuan, Luo Hui, Yu Jiaming)
中新经纬1月12日电 “上海市消保委”微信号12日发布2023年投诉情况通报。其中提到“小程序”“短视频”夸大宣传问题突出等7方面问题。 据通报，2023年上海市消保委共处理消费者投诉422874件，同比上升36.68%，推进 中国春节跨境游回暖：免签效应强，入境消费火 中新社北京2月18日电 (记者 夏宾)“双向奔赴”的跨境旅游在中国春节假期回暖。 随着中国对多个国家单方面免签证，与新加坡、马来西亚互免签证，推出一系列入境游便利 长三角观察｜揽人、赶工、抢订单：春节拼经济“热辣滚烫” 2月10日是正月初一，上午10点，满载工业品、电子产品和衣帽服饰的新春首列“义新欧”中欧班列从浙江义乌铁路口岸出发，驶往西班牙马德里。 在江苏昆山的华 2024年全国两会召开在即。过去一年，全国人大代表和全国政协委员们心系国是、情牵民生，交出了一份份合格的履职答卷。在履职中他们关注哪些热点难点问题？今年他们又准备了什么议案和提案、建议？让 最高法：加强种业知识产权保护 全面落实惩罚性赔偿制度 在国务院新闻办公室2月22日举行的发布会上，最高人民法院知识产权法庭副庭长中林介绍，法庭5年来共受理案由为植物新品种纠纷的案件481件，审结364件，已涵盖了主 激活公共数据要素潜能 日前，国家数据局等部门发布《“数据要素×”三年行动计划(2024―2026年)》，进一步明确和细化了激活数据要素潜能的具体方式和实践场景，扩展数据要素的高质量供给。将通过多领域、多行业的试 。本文链接：China's new visa-free policy for ASEAN tour groups boosts tourism, cultural bondshttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-47153-0.html
声明：本网站为非营利性网站，本网页内容由互联网博主自发贡献，不代表本站观点，本站不承担任何法律责任。天上不会到馅饼，请大家谨防诈骗！若有侵权等问题请及时与本网联系，我们将在第一时间删除处理。
上一篇： Chinese animated blockbuster sparks hunt for ancient clues in museums
下一篇： China sees record-breaking inter-regional trips in Spring Festival travel rush