By Xie Lixun and Li Kuo
　　
　　"The border inspection officers helped us clear customs quickly, and the entire tour group passed through in less than half an hour. Quite convenient," remarked Vietnamese guide Ly Thi Nhan, who recently led a 21-member tour group into China via Lijiang Sanyi International Airport in Yunnan province. Officers at the Lijiang office of the Yunnan Border Inspection General Station warmly welcomed the group, assisted them in filling out entry cards, and expedited clearance, earning wide appreciation from these travelers.
　　This is one of several measures Yunnan’s border inspection authorities have adopted to enhance clearance efficiency and actively support the province’s efforts toward greater openness and high-quality economic development.
　　In recent years, with the roll-out of policies such as the 240-hour visa-free transit and visa exemptions for ASEAN tour groups entering Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, "China Travel" has become a trending topic on overseas social media platforms. Thanks to its unique natural landscapes, diverse ethnic cultures, and pleasant climate, Yunnan has become a popular destination for many international travelers.
　　Seizing this opportunity, the Yunnan Border Inspection General Station has made comprehensive efforts to ensure safety and promote tourism development. These efforts have made Yunnan more accessible to the world, thereby contributing to the province’s high-level opening-up and quality development.

　　Faster Clearance
　　At 13:48 on February 18, the first tourist group to enjoy the 144-hour visa-free policy for ASEAN nationals, led by guide Yu Hanla, arrived at the Mohan highway port by bus with 15 travelers.
　　Thanks to Yu’s advanced online submission of the group’s entry list, border inspection officers could swiftly verify documents and identities, register the information, and stamp entry clearances upon the group’s arrival. The entire clearance process was completed in under 15 minutes, ensuring a smooth and efficient entry experience for the travelers.
　　The significant reduction in clearance time for international tourists is attributed to the launch of the Xishuangbanna ASEAN Visa-Free Tourist Group Information Declaration System. Since the implementation of the 144-hour visa-free policy for ASEAN tourist groups entering Xishuangbanna, the station has streamlined a series of procedures.
　　Among them: additional inspection lanes, more guidance personnel, pre-submission of Foreigner Entry Cards, pre-positioned passenger guidance, , dynamic adjustment of inspection lanes for Chinese and foreign travelers, and dedicated lanes for tour groups. These efforts have increased overall inspection efficiency by approximately 30%, effectively boosting cross-border tourism between Yunnan and ASEAN countries.
　　Additionally, the station has continuously strengthened port infrastructure construction and enhanced smart port development. By promptly deploying intelligent facilities such as smart verification counters, expedited inspection lanes, and biometric pre-collection terminals, the port clearance efficiency has significantly improved.
　　According to reports, the Mohan railway port has become China’s largest ASEAN-oriented railway hub, with the highest customs clearance efficiency and the fastest freight growth rate in the country. Its goal of achieving "smoother, faster, and better" operations is steadily being realized.
　　"In the morning, I was sipping local soup in Bangkok, and by evening, I was taking photos in traditional Dai attire at Xishuangjing," said Yu. The efficient clearance experience has sped up the journey for ASEAN travelers ticking off their bucket-list destinations.

　　Personalized Border Services
　　On March 6, following the arrival of Flight DR5042 from Bangkok at Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, American traveler Kevin Thomas became the first international visitor to benefit from the airport’s transit visa-free policy. He completed entry procedures on-site by applying for a temporary 240-hour permit at the Lijiang border inspection office.
　　"In the past, international travel often required preparing visa applications months in advance, but this 240-hour transit visa-free policy now allows for on-the-spot processing," said Kevin. He noted that the streamlined clearance experience left a strong impression on him and helped him get his China journey off to a quick start.
　　In early summer, as flowers bloom across Yunnan and tourists arrive in droves, the main station has stepped up efforts to ensure smooth entry procedures for foreign tour groups. Capitalizing on the high passenger volume at port areas, the station has actively promoted awareness of visa-free initiatives. By building close partnerships with tourism authorities and licensed travel agencies, it has continued to refine inspection mechanisms such as pre-screening, pre-registration, and real-time traffic updates.
　　In addition, multiple rounds of real-world simulations and full-process stress tests for "visa-free group entry" scenarios have been conducted to provide travelers with more personalized and more comfortable services.
　　As dusk settled over the Lancang River in Jinghong city, Thai traveler Kakao Prasith set up his tripod to capture the first glimmer of moonlight over the river—often called the "Oriental Danube"—while recording his first short video documenting his journey in China. Meanwhile, in a distant Dai-style bamboo house nestled in the rainforest, Lao traveler Somnam Sithong was enjoying a traditional Dai medicinal bath. "Here, I’ve learned to identify dozens of medicinal plants," said Somnam, his eyes shining zest for this area.
　　Yunnan tourism has gained new prevalence since the roll-out of the visa-free policy for ASEAN tourist groups entering Xishuangbanna. Some of the Thai travel websites have specifically launched a "6-Day Visa-Free Tour to Xishuangbanna," promoting attractions such as the Starry Night Market, Jinuo mountain, and Sky-reaching Trees. The itinerary also highlights ancient towns and villages along the route, while showcasing distinctive ethnic characteristics.
　　The seemingly parallel life paths of these individuals from diverse backgrounds showcase the unique charm of Yunnan as a place to live, work, retire, and travel—each choice they make helps spread the Yunnan lifestyle abroad.

　　The Shining "Safe China" Image
　　For Thai traveler Awarapan Weerapong, taking road trips alone is nothing new, but his recent cross-border road trip from Bangkok to China’s Mohan delivered an unprecedented experience. Along the road, he marveled at the ever-changing views outside.
　　"The closer we got to China, the more vibrant the cities became," he remarked. "The visa-free policy is awesome. It cuts down on both travel costs and time on the visa stuff."
　　Upon arriving in Xishuangbanna, Awarapan made sure to "check in" at a viral hot spot—the Sky-reaching Tree scenic area in Bubang Village, Mengla Town. "Traveling in China, I feel incredibly safe and very happy!" he said with a smile. From savoring Dai specialties that helped ease the fatigue of the journey, to the reassuring presence of border control officers patrolling the area, everything contributed to a strong sense of safety and comfort for visitors like Awarapan.
　　During the May Day holiday, Yunnan’s border ports saw a surge in cross-border passenger traffic. The Yunnan Border Inspection General Station processed nearly 400,000 entry and exit trips, a 15.8% increase year-on-year. Notably, foreign nationals accounted for over 56% of the total, with more than 220,000 trips—marking a 26% rise compared to the same period last year and setting a historic high for international visitor numbers.
　　To ensure the security of border ports, the general station has focused on key areas such as real-time port security surveillance, operational risk management, and border control vulnerabilities. By strengthening joint operational mechanisms, the station has actively collaborated with local governments, customs offices, and port administrations to establish an integrated framework that combines border control and inspection with other essential functions. This initiative promotes cross-departmental information sharing and joint operations, ensuring border port safety in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
　　Recently, a Malaysian netizen, Yang Piyuan, commented under a social media account called the "Charming Yunnan:": "The visa-free policy is amazing! My dream is to take a high-speed train one day from Kuala Lumpur, passing through Malaysia, Thailand, and Laos, then traveling along the China-Laos Railway all the way into China."■
　　( Translated by Wei Dong )