GUILIN, July 11  -- The city of Guilin in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is expected to become the ninth Chinese city to offer international transit passengers 72-hour visa-free stays.

The visa-free scheme will take effect on July 28, according to the municipal government.

The scheme covers travelers from 51 countries, including the United States, Britain and Australia.

Under the plan, transit travelers are allowed to freely visit Guilin, famous for its picturesque scenery and karst mountains.

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