Night view of Taipei 101. [Photo/VCG]

Independent travel to Taiwan will be suspended starting August 1, given the current state of cross-Straits relations, according to a statement from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Wednesday.

Independent travel to Taiwan has been permitted since June 2011.

Independent travel to Taiwan will be suspended starting August 1. [Photo/IC]

Under the terms of the new announcement, mainland residents in 47 cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Wuxi in Jiangsu province cannot apply for individual entry permits to Taiwan from now on.

Travel agency sources said that tourists with plans to visit Taiwan must join tour groups. Group tourism and business tourism are not impacted.