China launches regional visa-free policies for Indonesian citizens, with Hainan and Guilin available as holiday destination options.

China has introduced greater ease of access for Foreign Tourists through regional visa-free entry policies. Indonesia is one of the ASEAN countries eligible for this facility. Indonesian Tourists may visit a number of destinations in China without applying for a visa for eligible types of visits.

This policy forms part of China's efforts to boost international visitor arrivals. Positive results have already been observed during the recent National Holiday period. According to reports from Chinese state media outlet CGTN, out of 682,000 foreign national entry trips recorded over the National Holiday week, 505,000 entries made use of the visa-free policy.

This simplified entry process makes travel to China far more convenient. Three regions in China currently operate this regional visa-free scheme: Hainan Province, Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province, and Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

While all three locations offer simplified entry, each region operates under separate regulations. For this reason, travellers are advised to confirm the permitted length of stay, approved entry points, and all travel conditions before finalising their Holiday Plans.

1. Hainan, Visa-Free Stay up to 30 Days

Hainan is an option for Indonesian Tourists seeking a short visa-free holiday. This southern Chinese island grants a maximum 30-day visa-free stay for nationals from seven ASEAN countries.

Alongside Indonesia, the other six eligible countries are Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

As specified in China National Immigration Administration document Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies for Foreign Nationals, nationals from 61 countries overall may enter Hainan and remain for up to 30 days without a visa for approved travel purposes.

Eligible travel purposes include Tourism, Business, personal visits, medical care, conferences and exhibitions, as well as sporting competitions. This facility does not however apply to persons intending to work or study in Hainan.

The 30-day maximum stay provides travellers far more flexibility for planning longer itineraries compared to the visa-free facilities in the other two regions. Even so, visitors must always ensure their travel purpose complies with all applicable regulations.

2. Xishuangbanna, Visit Yunnan for up to 6 Days

Xishuangbanna, an autonomous prefecture in Yunnan Province, operates a dedicated visa-free scheme for tourist groups from ASEAN countries including Indonesia.

Unlike the Hainan scheme, this facility is only valid for tourist groups with a minimum of 2 people. All travel must be arranged and hosted by an officially registered travel agent based in China.

Travellers may enter and exit via three designated checkpoints: Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway Port, and Mohan Road Port.

Provided all requirements are met, tourist groups may stay within the administrative boundaries of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture for a maximum of 6 days.

This policy applies to nationals of all ASEAN member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

3. Guilin, Visa-Free Access for Group Travel

Guilin, located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, also provides visa-free entry for tourist groups from ASEAN countries. Similarly to Xishuangbanna, this policy requires a minimum group size of 2 travellers.

Visitors must book travel services through an officially registered travel agent in China, and all entry and exit must be made via Guilin's airport.

The maximum permitted stay is 6 days, with all travel activities restricted to Guilin's administrative area.

This scheme provides an option for Indonesian travellers wishing to make a short visa-free visit to Guilin under this dedicated facility.

All travellers are nevertheless advised to verify the latest updated requirements prior to departure, including approved travel agent eligibility and permitted entry routes.

Indonesia's inclusion on the list of countries eligible for China's regional visa-free policies offers Indonesian holidaymakers additional travel options to China. Hainan allows stays of up to 30 days, while Xishuangbanna and Guilin offer 6-day visa-free access subject to group travel requirements.

These differing regulations must be taken into account when selecting a destination. Note that these regional visa-free schemes do not grant permission to travel elsewhere in China, or to leave the designated region, without first meeting all additional immigration requirements.