Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies Continue to Take Effect: Hainan's 59-Country Visa-Free Entry and Visa-Free Entry for ASEAN Tour Groups in Xishuangbanna
Beyond nationwide policies, regional visa-free entry arrangements continue to be introduced: visitors from 59 countries can enter Hainan visa-free for up to 30 days, and tour groups from ASEAN countries can enter Xishuangbanna, Yunnan visa-free, with these diverse visa-free arrangements facilitating travelers from different directions.
In addition to the nationwide visa-free and transit visa-free policies, a series ofregional entry visa-freearrangements are also being rolled out continuously, targeting specific regions and source markets with precision.
Hainan: Visa-free entry for citizens of 59 countries
Hainan implements a visa-free entry policy for citizens of multiple countries,Stay of up to 30 days, open for tourism, business and other purposes; foreign tour groups from Hong Kong and Macao may also enter visa-free within a certain period. As a famous tropical island resort destination, this policy makes Hainan the top choice for many travelers to "start their vacation the moment they land."
Xishuangbanna: Visa-Free for ASEAN Tour Groups
In 2025, China implemented a visa-free policy for tour groups from ASEAN countries entering Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. Tour groups from ASEAN countries can enter conveniently via land ports such as Mohan, providing a new convenient channel for personnel exchanges between border areas and Southeast Asia.
Multi-Point Convenience at Ports and Cruise Ships
- Multiple new ports have been added for the 240-hour visa-free transit, covering various entry modes from land routes to seaports;
- Support Shanghai's international cruise "destination-free sea voyages," providing cruise passengers with new travel options;
- Promote the use of expedited vehicle clearance at selected land ports to improve the efficiency of cross-border self-driving and group travel.
How to Choose the Inbound Method That Suits You
Different policies target different groups of people and itineraries: for short stopovers, the transit visa-free policy is an option; for dedicated trips to China, unilateral visa-free entry may apply; and if heading to specific regions such as Hainan or Xishuangbanna, you can look into the corresponding regional visa-free arrangements. Before traveling, it is advisable to confirm the applicable policy based on your nationality, itinerary, and length of stay, and to keep an eye on the policy's validity period and dynamic adjustments.