More than 1,600 foreign tourists entered Mandalay through Mandalay International Airport within three days after visa exemptions had been granted for some countries outside of ASEAN such as Japan, South Korea, Macao (Macau) and Hong Kong, according to the region’s Immigration and Population Department.

Visa exemption started on October 1 for tourists from Japan, Korean, Macao and Hong Kong.

"From October 1 to 3, over 1,600 foreign tourists arrived in Mandalay. Among them, 136 Chinese citizens arrived on visas on arrival; eight Japanese on extended visas, 23 Koreans and one from Macao," said U Saw Tint Lwin, director of Mandalay Region Immigration and Population Department.

Myanmar eased visa restrictions for foreign tourists from Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Macao holding ordinary passports by setting a one-year trial period from October 1 this year to September 2019.

The visitors from Japan, South Korea and China's autonomous regions such as Macao and Hong Kong can enter Myanmar enjoying visa exemption through international airports in Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon International Seaport and international border points of entry on Myanmar-Thai border and Myanmar-India border.

Free visa will be aimed at only those who arrive on a tourist visa and they will be allowed to stay in the country for 30 days.