Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam tourists flock to China under a new visa policy, boosting tourism and deepening cultural ties for regional growth.

On Friday, a group of 15 tourists from Thailand and Laos concluded their four-day visit to southwest China’s Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, boarding the China-Laos Railway for their return trip. This marks the first ASEAN-based tour group to visit since China launched its new visa relaxation policy.

As of February 10, visitors from ASEAN countries are now permitted to explore Xishuangbanna, a renowned tourist spot in Yunnan Province, for up to six days without the need for a visa.

China and ASEAN nations have long been vital tourism partners. Official figures reveal that in 2024, Xishuangbanna hosted 319,500 international tourists, reflecting a remarkable 264.67% increase from the previous year. Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar were the primary contributors.

This visa exemption initiative is seen as a new chapter in the cultural exchange and collaboration between China and ASEAN, according to Qi Xiaobo from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research. It highlights China’s commitment to deepening relationships with the regional bloc.

The tourists, guided by a local agency, enjoyed the region’s natural beauty, sampled its local cuisine, and immersed themselves in the Dai ethnic culture, which included traditional dance performances and water blessing ceremonies.

Jiang Jie, deputy director of Xishuangbanna’s Culture and Tourism Bureau, noted that 18 new tourist routes have been introduced, showcasing the area’s rich heritage and culture.

The influx of visitors is a significant boon for the hospitality sector, travel agencies, and other related industries, while also contributing to infrastructure growth, Qi emphasized. He stressed the importance of improving services for international tourists, such as multilingual guides and financial support systems.

Cultural exchanges between China and ASEAN are extending beyond tourism. With the increasing influence of Chinese culture in the region, more people from ASEAN countries are keen to learn the Chinese language.

Le Anh Lien, a 24-year-old from Vietnam, works at a cross-border food shop in Tianbao Port, Malipo County, where her Mandarin skills helped her secure employment. A report from VietnamWorks, a Vietnamese job platform, showed that students proficient in Chinese have near 100% success in finding employment after graduation.

The number of Lao students learning Chinese is also on the rise, with many pursuing studies in areas like logistics, e-commerce, tourism, and sports management. Zhou Bo, a vocational school head in Xishuangbanna’s Mengla County, shared that over 500 new Lao students are expected to join the school soon.

Figures show that more than 175,000 exchange students now move between China and ASEAN countries, with joint educational initiatives expanding and enhancing the talent pool for both sides.

Jia Chaozhishan of the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences concluded, “People-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN have entered a new phase, with growing cooperation in tourism, culture, and beyond.”

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