Indonesian passport holders have several options for visiting selected destinations in China without applying for a visa in advance. Under specific regional visa-free arrangements, eligible travellers may visit Hainan, Xishuangbanna and Guilin, or enter designated areas through qualifying organised cruise tours.
These arrangements offer greater flexibility for Indonesian travellers planning holidays, short visits or other permitted activities. However, each policy has its own eligibility criteria, entry requirements, geographical restrictions and maximum length of stay.
China’s visa-free policies have also become an increasingly prominent part of its international travel framework. According to China Global Television Network (CGTN), the country recorded 682,000 inbound trips by foreign nationals during the 2026 National Day holiday, including 505,000 trips made under visa-free policies.
For Indonesian travellers, the key consideration is whether their passport, travel purpose and itinerary qualify under the relevant exemption. Visa-free entry to one region does not automatically grant permission to travel throughout mainland China.
This guide examines four regional visa-free options, explains their principal conditions and outlines when a conventional Chinese visa may still be necessary.
Visa-Free Travel to Hainan for Up to 30 Days
Hainan Province is an option for Indonesian citizens planning a short visit to China without obtaining a visa in advance.
Under the applicable regional visa-free arrangement, eligible Indonesian citizens holding ordinary passports may enter Hainan for stays of up to 30 days, provided they satisfy the relevant entry conditions.
Permitted purposes may include tourism, business visits, family visits, medical treatment, conferences, exhibitions and sporting competitions. Employment and study are excluded from this arrangement.
Travellers may explore destinations such as Haikou, the provincial capital, and Sanya, which is known for its beaches, coastal resorts and tourism facilities.
Key Requirements for Hainan
- Eligible travellers: Indonesian citizens holding ordinary passports who meet the applicable conditions.
- Maximum stay: Up to 30 days.
- Permitted activities: Tourism and specified short-term activities.
- Geographical restriction: Travel must remain within Hainan Province under this regional scheme.
- Exclusions: Employment and study are not covered by this exemption.
- Entry: Through eligible ports of entry, subject to border inspection and applicable requirements.
Although the policy removes the need for a visa for qualifying visits, travellers should review their itinerary before departure. Those planning to visit destinations outside Hainan may need a separate visa or another applicable entry arrangement.
Visa-Free Group Tours to Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
Xishuangbanna, located in Yunnan Province, is known for its tropical landscapes, distinctive architecture and Dai cultural heritage.
Indonesian travellers may qualify for visa-free entry under a specific organised group-tour arrangement. Unlike the Hainan policy, this exemption is not intended for independent travel.
Key Requirements for Xishuangbanna
- Eligible travellers: Indonesian and other ASEAN nationals holding ordinary passports, subject to the applicable policy.
- Minimum group size: Two people.
- Maximum stay: Six days.
- Permitted entry and exit points: Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway Port or Mohan Highway Port.
- Travel arrangements: The group must be organised and received by a travel agency registered in China.
- Geographical restriction: Travel must remain within the administrative region of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture.
Travellers must enter and leave China as part of the qualifying group arrangements. The exemption does not provide general permission to travel independently to other Chinese cities or provinces.
Visitors considering this option should confirm their itinerary and group arrangements with the relevant travel agency before booking.
Visa-Free Group Tours to Guilin, Guangxi
Guilin, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is known for its limestone karst mountains, rivers and scenic countryside.
Eligible Indonesian travellers may visit Guilin without applying for a visa in advance under the applicable regional group-tour arrangement. The exemption is subject to specific entry, travel and geographical conditions.
Key Requirements for Guilin
- Eligible travellers: Indonesian and other ASEAN nationals holding ordinary passports, subject to the applicable policy.
- Minimum group size: Two people.
- Maximum stay: Six days.
- Entry and exit point: Guilin’s airport, subject to the applicable arrangements.
- Travel arrangements: The group must be organised and received by a travel agency registered in China.
- Geographical restriction: Travel is limited to the administrative region of Guilin.
As with the Xishuangbanna scheme, travellers must comply with the prescribed group-tour arrangements. An itinerary involving independent travel outside Guilin may fall outside the scope of the exemption.
Before departure, travellers should verify their eligibility, entry arrangements and permitted destinations with the relevant travel agency.
Visa-Free Entry Through Organised Cruise Tours
Indonesian travellers joining qualifying organised cruise tours may also be eligible for visa-free entry into designated areas of China.
Under this arrangement, eligible foreign tourist groups can enter through designated cruise ports, provided they satisfy the relevant conditions.
The policy covers cruise ports in 13 cities:
- Beihai
- Dalian
- Guangzhou
- Haikou
- Lianyungang
- Qingdao
- Shanghai
- Sanya
- Shenzhen
- Tianjin
- Wenzhou
- Xiamen
- Zhoushan
Key Requirements for Cruise Passengers
- Minimum group size: Two people.
- Travel arrangements: The group must be organised and received by a travel agency registered in China.
- Maximum stay: Up to 15 days.
- Permitted destinations: Beijing and 11 designated coastal provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, subject to the applicable policy.
- Cruise itinerary: Travellers must follow the qualifying itinerary and leave China on the scheduled cruise ship.
This arrangement may suit travellers seeking to visit several destinations through a cruise itinerary without applying for a conventional visa for the qualifying visit.
However, eligibility depends on the cruise route, designated ports and permitted destinations. Travellers should confirm the itinerary with their cruise operator or travel agency before departure.
China Visa-Free Options Compared
The four arrangements differ in their permitted destinations, maximum stays and travel conditions.
| Visa-Free Scheme | Maximum Stay | Main Requirements | Principal Restrictions |
| Hainan Province | Up to 30 days | Eligible Indonesian ordinary passport holders | Travel restricted to Hainan under the scheme |
| Xishuangbanna, Yunnan | Six days | Group of at least two, arranged through a qualifying travel agency | Designated entry points and travel within Xishuangbanna |
| Guilin, Guangxi | Six days | Group of at least two, arranged through a qualifying travel agency | Designated entry arrangements and travel within Guilin |
| Organised cruise tour | Up to 15 days | Qualifying tourist group and cruise itinerary | Designated ports, permitted destinations and scheduled cruise departure |
These arrangements are not interchangeable. Travellers should select the option that corresponds to their intended destinations and travel plans rather than assuming that one exemption applies throughout China.
Do Indonesian Travellers Still Need a China Visa?
Yes, depending on the purpose and itinerary of the visit.
Regional visa-free policies apply only when travellers satisfy the conditions of the relevant arrangement. They do not constitute a general exemption covering every destination in mainland China.
Indonesian travellers may need to obtain an appropriate Chinese visa if they intend to visit cities outside the permitted areas, travel independently where an organised group is required, or follow an itinerary that does not qualify for a regional exemption.
Travellers should also distinguish between visa-free entry for short-term visits and immigration permission for activities such as employment or study, which are not covered by the regional arrangements discussed above.
Where a visa is required, the appropriate category will depend on the traveller’s purpose, itinerary and intended number of entries.
China Single-Entry Visa
A China Single-Entry Visa may be suitable for travellers who intend to enter China once during the visa’s authorised validity period, subject to the conditions stated on the visa.
It may be relevant for visitors planning to travel beyond the regional visa-free areas or whose itinerary does not satisfy the requirements of an exemption.
Learn more about the China Single-Entry Visa.
China Double-Entry Visa
A China Double-Entry Visa may be appropriate for travellers who need to enter China twice during the authorised validity period, subject to the visa’s conditions.
This option may be relevant for itineraries involving two separate entries into mainland China, including trips that require travellers to leave and subsequently re-enter the country.
The permitted number of entries, validity period and duration of each stay should be confirmed before travel.
Learn more about the China Double-Entry Visa.
What Should Indonesian Travellers Check Before Travelling to China?
Before booking flights or confirming accommodation, Indonesian travellers should review the entry requirements relevant to their itinerary.
- Confirm your eligibility.
Check that your passport, travel purpose and personal circumstances meet the conditions of the relevant visa-free scheme or visa category. - Review your itinerary.
Confirm that every planned destination falls within the geographical area permitted under the exemption. A regional visa-free arrangement may not cover travel to other Chinese provinces. - Verify your entry and exit points.
Some schemes specify particular airports, railway ports, highway ports or cruise terminals. Using a different route may affect eligibility. - Confirm group-tour arrangements.
Where an organised group is required, verify that the travel agency is registered in China and that the group itinerary complies with the relevant conditions. - Check the permitted length of stay.
Review the maximum stay and the applicable calculation rules. Do not assume that all four schemes operate under the same conditions. - Check the latest immigration requirements.
Entry policies can change. Confirm the latest official guidance before departure rather than relying solely on information published when the trip was first planned.
For travellers whose plans fall outside a regional exemption, determining the appropriate visa category before departure can help avoid unnecessary complications.
Need Assistance with Your China Visa Application?
China’s regional visa-free arrangements provide Indonesian travellers with additional options for visiting selected destinations without obtaining a visa in advance. However, each scheme has specific conditions, and the appropriate route depends on the traveller’s passport, travel purpose and itinerary.
Travellers planning to visit destinations outside the designated areas, undertake activities not covered by an exemption or make multiple entries into China may need to consider a conventional visa application.
LMI Consultancy provides Immigration Consultation and visa application assistance to help travellers understand the relevant requirements, assess available options and prepare their documentation.
Whether you are considering a China Single-Entry Visa or Double-Entry Visa, reviewing your travel plans before applying can help you identify the appropriate option for your circumstances.
Contact LMI Consultancy for assistance with your China visa requirements and travel documentation.
