An aerial drone photo taken on Dec 11, 2024 shows a view of the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong city in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Yunnan province. [Photo/Xinhua]

China on Monday announced a visa-free policy for tour groups from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations who want to visit Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, in the latest step to boost people-to-people exchanges with Southeast Asia.

Now, such tour groups made up of at least two ordinary passport holders from any of the 10 ASEAN member countries can enter and leave China without a visa through the Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, the Mohan Railway Port and the Mohan Highway Port, which are all located in the prefecture, the National Immigration Administration said.

After entry through any of the three ports, the tour groups from most of the ASEAN member countries are allowed to stay in Xishuangbanna for up to six days, the NIA said, emphasizing that the groups must be organized and received by travel agencies in China.

Exceptions are made for visitors from ASEAN member countries that fall under China's visa waiver scheme. Ordinary passport holders from ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are allowed to enter China without a visa and stay in the country for up to 30 days.

The NIA quoted one of its officials as saying the new policy aiming to attract more tourists to Xishuangbanna "marks a significant step toward … supporting Yunnan in becoming a center with radiation effects for South and Southeast Asia".

The policy will also serve to promote the development of the tourism industry in Southwest China, enhance people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries, and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and ASEAN, the official said.

The NIA said it will come up with more policies to attract more foreigners to travel and do business in China, and inject new momentum into the inbound travel market.

Known for its tropical scenery, Xishuangbanna is located in the southernmost tip of Yunnan. The province, which borders Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, is one of China's gateways to Southeast Asia.

In 2024, border inspection authorities in Yunnan recorded more than 24.76 million cross-border passenger trips, a 64.5 percent year-on-year increase, the province's general station of exit and entry border inspection said.

During the year, Xishuangbanna attracted more than 70 million tourists from both China and abroad, up 13.44 percent year-on-year, the prefecture's publicity department said.