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THE CHINESE government just launched the ASEAN Visa program for ten Southeast Asian countries and Timor-Leste. This five-year, multiple-entry visa allows people from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries to come to China and stay for up to 180 days, or six months.
“This new program offers a five-year ‘multi-entry’ visit visa for qualified applicants visiting China for business purposes,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday, March 6, 2025, as quoted by antaranews.com.
According to the Golden Rama Tours and Travel holiday trend report from early 2025, China is one of the most popular destinations for Indonesian tourists. Based on transaction data from the Golden Rama Tours and Travel tourism exhibition in December 2024, tour package sales to China accounted for nearly 30% of total transactions.
“Popular tourist destinations in China include Chongqing, Zhangjiajie, Wulong, and Huangshan. Chongqing, with its unique topography and futuristic architecture, continues to be a magnet for tourists. Its popularity is growing because it offers experiences rarely found elsewhere,” said Ricky Hilton, Golden Rama’s General Manager of Communications & CRM, in his official statement.
Chinese tourism is attractive not only because of the ease of flight access, but also because of the increasingly diverse, organized, and stunning experiences offered.
Ricky explained that China is now a destination that is rich in history and offers a modern, futuristic face. From thousand-year-old temples in Beijing and dramatic mountains in Zhangjiajie to the sparkling city of Shanghai that never sleeps, China pampers travelers with unmatched contrasts.
However, Ricky added that traveling to China can sometimes be complicated due to language barriers, unfamiliar digital payment systems, and ever-evolving local policies.
“This is why group tours with Golden Rama are a smart solution. Everything has been arranged: entrance tickets, accommodations, halal food (if needed), and local Indonesian-speaking guides,” Ricky explained to kompas.com on Saturday, (06/7), 2025.
The development of digital infrastructure and transportation in China adds to the reasons to travel there.
“China is ready to welcome a wave of global tourists with a friendlier, more accessible face. For Indonesian tourists seeking a unique blend of history, technology, cuisine, and iconic landscapes, China is the ultimate destination,” he affirmed.
But when he asked how much do tour packages to China cost? Ricky answered immediately, Golden Rama Tours and Travel offers two eight-day packages: Favorite China Highlights, starting at IDR10.3 million, and Favorite China Classic and Two Theme Parks, starting at IDR12.8 million.
The cost includes round-trip airfare, four-star hotels, food, transportation, local Indonesian-speaking guides, and entrance tickets to tourist attractions. Indonesian tourists will explore destinations blending tradition and modernity, including Beijing, Suzhou, and Shanghai. The Favorite China Classic and 2 Theme Parks package includes additional visits to Shanghai Disney Resort and Universal Studios Beijing. [kompas.com/photo special]
