Since the introduction of bilateral visa-free travel between China and Malaysia on the 1st December 2023, digital travel platform Agoda has witnessed a search increase for travel between the two markets. In the month following the start of the visa waiver, Agoda saw over five times more searches from China to Malaysia compared to the month prior, and over three times more searches from Malaysia to mainland China.
This trend continued into January 2024 with searches between both countries continuing to increase. The top destinations in Malaysia gaining attention from Chinese travelers were Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Langkawi respectively.
Malaysian travelers reciprocated with interest in exploring China.Guangzhou topped the list in January, closely followed by Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing. Chengdu, home of the magnificent giant pandas, came in fifth.
Enric Casals, Associate Vice President Southeast Asia at Agoda, commented "The increased search activity and the diverse destinations in both markets that made the rankings reflect the excitement among travelers from Malaysia and China to explore each other's wonders. It’s great to see travel becoming more frictionless. But no matter the necessary visa requirements, Agoda remains committed to helping travelers see the world for less through great value deals."
Top Searched Destinations | |
Inbound (China to Malaysia) | Outbound (Malaysia to Mainland China) |
Kuala Lumpur | Guangzhou |
Kota Kinabalu | Shanghai |
Penang | Shenzhen |
Johor Bahru | Beijing |
Langkawi | Chengdu |
Guangzhou
 |
| Wally Yang via Unsplash |
Shanghai
 |
| Edward He via Unsplash |
Shenzhen
 |
| Joe Macpherson via Unsplash |
Beijing
 |
| Victor He via Unsplash |
Chengdu
 |
| Zain Lee via Unsplash |
Agoda's extensive network of hotel and holiday properties as well as its flights and activity offerings make it an ideal platform for planning and booking a diverse range of travel experiences in China, Asia and beyond. Whether exploring the bustling streets of Shanghai or the historical richness of Beijing, Agoda provides a wide range of choices for every kind of traveler, helping them see the world for less.
