XML 24 R15.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT  v2.3.0.11
Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
ProspectusDate rr_ProspectusDate May 31, 2011
MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND (Prospectus Summary) | MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return, Heading rr_RiskReturnHeading Matthews Asia Dividend Fund
Investment Objective, Heading rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
investment Objective, Primary rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock 
Total return with an emphasis on providing current income.
Expense, Heading rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense, Narrative rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock 
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of this Fund.
Shareholder Fees, Caption rr_ShareholderFeesCaption SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses, Caption rr_OperatingExpensesCaption ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover, Heading rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Portfolio Turnover rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock 
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example of fund expenses, affect the
Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio
turnover rate was 10% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 10.00%
Expense Example, Heading rr_ExpenseExampleHeading EXAMPLE OF FUND EXPENSES
Expense Example, Narrative rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock 
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of
your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses
remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on
these assumptions your costs would be:
Investment Strategy, Heading rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategy
Investment Strategy, Narrative rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock 
Under normal market conditions, the Matthews Asia Dividend Fund seeks to achieve
its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its total net assets,
which include borrowings for investment purposes, in income-paying equity
securities of companies located in Asia, which includes China, Hong Kong, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri
Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The location of a company can be
determined by where it is organized, where its revenues and profits are derived,
where its assets are located, or other factors.

The Fund seeks to provide a level of current income that is higher than the
yield generally available in Asian equity markets over the long term. The Fund
intends to distribute its realized income, if any, regularly (typically
quarterly in March, June, September and December). There is no guarantee that
the Fund will be able to distribute its realized income, if any, regularly.
If the value of the Fund's investments declines, the NAV of the Fund will decline
and investors may lose some or all of the value of their investments.

The Fund's objective is total return with an emphasis on providing current
income. Total return includes current income (dividends and distributions paid
to shareholders) and capital gains (share price appreciation). The Fund measures
total return over longer periods. Because of this objective, the Fund expects
that it will primarily invest in companies that exhibit attractive dividend
yields and the propensity (in Matthews' judgment) to pay increasing dividends.
Matthews believes that in addition to providing current income, growing dividend
payments by portfolio companies are an important component supporting capital
appreciation. Matthews expects that such companies typically will be of medium
or large size, but the Fund may invest in companies of any size. Matthews
measures a company's size with respect to fundamental criteria such as, but not
limited to, market capitalization, book value, revenues, profits, cash flow,
dividends paid and number of employees.
Risk, Heading rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks of Investment
Risk, Narrative rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock 
Political, Social and Economic Risks: The value of the Fund's assets may be
adversely affected by political, economic, social and religious instability;
inadequate investor protection; changes in laws or regulations of countries
within the Asian region (including countries in which the Fund invests, as well
as the broader region); international relations with other nations; natural
disasters; corruption and military activity. The Asian region, and particularly
China, Japan and South Korea, may be adversely affected by political, military,
economic and other factors related to North Korea. In addition, China's
long-running conflict over Taiwan, border disputes with many of its neighbors
and historically strained relations with Japan could adversely impact economies
in the region. The economies of many Asian countries differ from the economies
of more developed countries in many respects, such as rate of growth, inflation,
capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, financial system stability, the
national balance of payments position and sensitivity to changes in global
trade. Certain Asian countries are highly dependent upon and may be affected by
developments in the United States, Europe and other Asian economies.

Currency Risks: When the Fund conducts securities transactions in a foreign
currency, there is the risk of the value of the foreign currency increasing or
decreasing against the value of the U.S. dollar. The value of an investment
denominated in a foreign currency will decline in dollar terms if that currency
weakens against the dollar. While the Fund is permitted to hedge currency risks,
Matthews does not anticipate doing so at this time. Additionally, Asian
countries may utilize formal or informal currency-exchange controls or "capital
controls." Capital controls may impose restrictions on the Fund's ability to
repatriate investments or income. Such controls may also affect the value of the
Fund's holdings.

Risks Associated with Emerging Markets: Many Asian countries are considered
emerging markets. Emerging markets are often less stable politically and
economically than developed markets such as the United States, and investing in
emerging markets involves different and greater risks. There may be less
publicly available information about companies in emerging markets. The stock
exchanges and brokerage industries of emerging markets do not have the level of
government oversight as do those in the United States. Securities markets of
such countries are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than
securities markets in the United States.

Trading Markets and Depositary Receipts: Asian securities may trade in the form
of depositary receipts, including American, European and Global Depositary
Receipts. Although depositary receipts have risks similar to the securities that
they represent, they may also involve higher expenses and may trade at a
discount (or premium) to the underlying security. In addition, depositary
receipts may not pass through voting and other shareholder rights, and may be
less liquid than the underlying securities listed on an exchange.

Volatility: The smaller size and lower levels of liquidity in emerging markets,
as well as other factors, may result in changes in the prices of Asian
securities that are more volatile than those of companies in more developed
regions. This volatility can cause the price of the Fund's shares (NAV) to go up
or down dramatically. Because of this volatility, it is recommended that you
invest in the Fund only for the long term (at least five years).

Convertible Securities: The Fund may invest in convertible preferred stocks, and
convertible bonds and debentures. The risks of convertible bonds and debentures
include repayment risk and interest rate risk. Many Asian convertible securities
are not rated by rating agencies like Moody's, S&P or Fitch, or, if they are
rated, they may be rated below investment grade ("junk bonds"), which may have a
greater risk of default. Investing in a convertible security denominated in a
currency different from that of the security into which it is convertible may
expose the Fund to currency risk as well as risks associated with the level and
volatility of the foreign exchange rate between the security's currency and the
underlying stock's currency. Convertible securities may trade less frequently
and in lower volumes, or have periods of less frequent trading. Lower trading
volume may also make it more difficult for the Funds to value such securities.

Dividend-Paying Equities: The Fund may invest in dividend-paying equity
securities. There can be no guarantee that companies that have historically paid
dividends will continue to pay them or pay them at the current rates in the
future. Dividend-paying equity securities, in particular those whose market
price is closely related to their yield, may exhibit greater sensitivity to
interest rate changes. The Fund's investment in such securities may also limit
its potential for appreciation during a broad market advance.

The prices of dividend-paying equity securities (and particularly of those
issued by Asian companies) can be highly volatile. Investors should not assume
that a Fund's investments in these securities will necessarily reduce the
volatility of the Fund's NAV or provide "protection," compared to other types of
equity securities, when markets perform poorly.
Bar Chart and Performance Table, Heading rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Past Performance
Performance, Narrative rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock 
The bar chart below shows the Fund's performance for each full calendar year
since its inception and how it has varied from year to year, reflective of the
Fund's volatility. Also shown are the best and worst quarters for this time
period. The table below shows the Fund's performance over certain periods of
time, along with performance of its benchmark index. The index performance does
not take into consideration fees, expenses or taxes. The information presented
below is past performance, before and after taxes, and is not a prediction of
future results. Both the bar chart and performance table assume reinvestment of
all dividends and distributions. For the Fund's most recent month-end
performance, please visit matthewsasia.com or call 800.789.2742.
Performance, Information Illustrates Variability of Returns rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart below shows the Fund's performance for each full calendar year since its inception and how it has varied from year to year, reflective of the Fund's volatility. Also shown are the best and worst quarters for this time period. The table below shows the Fund's performance over certain periods of time, along with performance of its benchmark index.
Performance, Availability Phone Number rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800.789.2742
Performance, Availability Website Address rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress matthewsasia.com
Performance, Past Does Not Indicate Future rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The information presented below is past performance, before and after taxes, and is not a prediction of future results.
Bar Chart, Heading rr_BarChartHeading ANNUAL RETURNS FOR YEARS ENDED 12/31
Bar Chart, Narrative rr_BarChartNarrativeTextBlock 
The bar chart below shows the Fund's performance for each full calendar year
since its inception and how it has varied from year to year, reflective of the
Fund's volatility.
Bar Chart, Closing rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock 
Best Quarter
Q2 2009
25.07%

Worst Quarter
Q3 2008
-12.30%
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes The index performance does not take into consideration fees, expenses or taxes.
Performance Table, Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table, Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Average Annual Returns, Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND (Prospectus Summary) | MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND | Investor Class Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 25.07%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (12.30%)
MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND | MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 17.25%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.45%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 31, 2006
MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND | Investor Class Shares
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed on shares held fewer than 90 days) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.67%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Administration and Shareholder Servicing Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.16%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.47%
Total Annual Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.14% [1]
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 116
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 362
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 628
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,386
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 18.05%
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (25.97%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 47.59%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 22.83%
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Matthews Asia Dividend Fund Return before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.83%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.73%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 31, 2006
MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND | Investor Class Shares | After Taxes on Distributions
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Matthews Asia Dividend Fund Return after taxes on distributions [2]
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 22.06%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 12.60%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 31, 2006
MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND | Investor Class Shares | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, Label rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel Matthews Asia Dividend Fund Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares [2]
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.41%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 11.41%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Oct. 31, 2006
[1] These operating expenses are based on actual expenses paid by the Fund during its last fiscal year. The total operating expenses were 1.15% including Matthews' recoupment of all remaining prior expense subsidies.
[2] After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.