NANNING, July 28 -- The south China city of Guilin, transport hub for the backpacker haven of Yangshuo County, began to offer 72-hour visa-free stays to international transit passengers on Monday.

The scheme covers travelers from 51 countries, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and a number of European Union countries.

Under the plan, air transit travelers are allowed 72-hour visa-free visits to the city, famous for its picturesque river and karst mountains.

Guilin airport, with direct flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Bangkok and Hong Kong, will handle the entry and exit of an estimated 400,000 passengers across the border this year, up 14 percent from last year.

The same visa-free policy is already in place in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang and Dalian.