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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
ProspectusDate rr_ProspectusDate Nov. 30, 2011
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND (Prospectus Summary) | MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return, Heading rr_RiskReturnHeading Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund
Investment Objective, Heading rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
investment Objective, Primary rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock 
The Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund (the "Strategic Income Fund" or the
"Fund") seeks total return over the long term, with an emphasis on 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 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.
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates "Other Expenses" for the Fund are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
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 Strategic Income Fund seeks to achieve its
investment objective by investing at least 80% of its total assets, which
include borrowings for investment purposes, in income-producing securities
including, but not limited to, debt and debt-related instruments issued by
governments, quasi-governmental entities, supra-national institutions, and
companies in Asia. Investments may be denominated in any currency, and may
represent any part of a company's capital structure from debt to equity or with
features of both. Debt and debt-related instruments typically include bonds,
debentures, bills, notes, certificates of deposit and other bank obligations,
senior secured bank debt, convertible debt securities, credit-linked notes,
inflation-linked instruments, repurchase agreements, dividend paying equity
securities and derivative instruments with fixed income characteristics.

Asia includes the following countries: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia,
Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka,
Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Generally, a company will be considered located
in one of those countries if it is organized there, derives a majority of its
profits from there, has a majority of its assets there, or its securities
primarily trade there. Other considerations, such as headquarters location,
apply to supra-national and other types of entities. Instruments will be deemed
to be Asian securities if the issuer is headquartered in an Asian country, the
instrument is denominated in the currency of an Asian country, or the instrument
is issued with respect to a project located in, or secured or backed by assets
located in an Asian country, or is otherwise linked to an Asian country.

Up to 50% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in securities of issuers
from a single country (including the government of that country, its agencies,
instrumentalities and political subdivisions), and up to 25% of the Fund's total
assets, may be invested in the securities issued by any one Asian government
(including its agencies, instrumentalities and political subdivisions).

The Fund will not seek to limit its foreign currency exposure and may invest
without limitation in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities and instruments.
The Fund reserves the right to hedge its exposure to foreign currencies to
reduce the risk of loss from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, but
normally does not expect to do so.

The Fund will typically engage in derivative transactions for a variety of
purposes, including managing interest rate, currency and credit exposure,
involving a variety of underlying instruments, including for example,
currencies, debt securities, securities indexes, futures and options on swaps
(commonly referred to as swaptions). In particular, the Fund may seek to take on
currency exposure by using derivatives such as currency forwards and, as a
result, the Fund's exposure to a currency could exceed the value of the Fund's
assets denominated in that currency and could exceed the value of the Fund's net
assets.

The Fund is permitted to invest in debt securities of any quality, including
high yield debt securities rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as
"junk bonds") and unrated debt securities. Under normal market conditions, the
Fund intends that at least 50% of its debt and debt-related securities shall be,
at the time of their purchase, rated investment grade by at least one
internationally recognized rating agency (such as Moody's, S&P or Fitch), or, if
unrated are deemed by Matthews to be of comparable credit quality. The Fund has
no stated maturity or duration target and the average effective maturity or
duration may change. Matthews has implemented risk management systems to monitor
the Fund to reduce the risk of loss through overemphasis on a particular issuer,
country or currency.

Matthews uses a fundamentals-based investment process to manage the Fund's
portfolio of fixed income investments, with a focus on risk-adjusted return.
Matthews' fixed income investment process includes six steps, with risk
management embedded into each step of the process, in order to identify and
capitalize on credit (including counterparty), interest rate (duration), and
currency opportunities and risks: The key steps include generating a range of
ideas for investments (sometimes referred to as the investable universe),
researching a smaller list within that range, selecting investments based on
that research, constructing a portfolio of selected investments based on overall
risk and other allocation considerations, monitoring the portfolio, and
analyzing the precise sources of risk and return from the investments already
made.
Risk, Heading rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks of Investment
Risk, Narrative rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock 
Credit Risk: A debt instrument's price depends, in part, on the credit quality
of the issuer, borrower, counterparty, or underlying collateral and can decline
in response to changes in the financial condition of the issuer, borrower,
counterparty, or underlying collateral, or changes in specific or general
market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other
conditions.

Interest Rate Risk (including Prepayment and Extension Risks): Changes in
interest rates in each of the countries in which the Fund may invest, as well as
interest rates in more-developed countries, may cause a decline in the market
value of an investment. Generally, fixed income securities will decrease in
value when interest rates rise and when interest rates decline, the value of
fixed income securities can be expected to rise. As interest rates decline, debt
issuers may repay or refinance their loans or obligations earlier than
anticipated. The issuers of fixed income securities may, therefore, repay
principal in advance. This would force the Fund to reinvest the proceeds from
the principal prepayments at lower rates, which reduces the Fund's income.

Currency Risks: When the Fund invests in foreign currencies (directly or through
a financial instrument) or in securities denominated in a foreign currency,
there is the risk that the value of the foreign currency will increase or
decrease 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. Capital controls may also affect the value of
the Fund's holdings.

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.

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).

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.

High-Yield Bonds and Other Lower-Rated Securities: The Fund's investments in
high-yield bonds ("junk bonds") and other lower-rated securities will subject
the Fund to substantial risk of loss. Issuers of junk bonds are less financially
secure and less able to repay interest and principal compared to issuers of
investment-grade securities. Prices of junk bonds tend to be very volatile.
These securities are less liquid than investment-grade debt securities and may
be difficult to price or sell, particularly in times of negative sentiment
toward high-yield securities.

Derivatives Risk (including Options, Futures and Swaps): Derivatives are
speculative and may hurt the Fund's performance. Derivative products are highly
specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses
different from those associated with stocks and bonds. The use of a derivative
requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the
derivative itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the
derivative under all possible market conditions. Derivatives present the risk of
disproportionately increased losses and/ or reduced opportunities for gains when
the financial asset or measure to which the derivative is linked changes in
unexpected ways.

Structured Investments: Structured investments (e.g., credit-linked notes) are
financial instruments and contractual obligations that are designed to provide a
specific risk-reward profile. Generally, structured instruments combine
characteristics of two or more different types of financial instruments. The
terms of these investments may be contractually "structured" by the purchaser
and the issuer (which is typically associated with an investment banking firm)
of the instrument. Structured investments may have certain features of equity
and debt securities, but may also have features of derivative instruments.
Structured investments typically change the risk or return, or replicate the
risk or return of an underlying asset. The value of a structured investment will
normally rise or fall in response to the changes in the performance of the
underlying asset (including any market basket, index or similar instrument that
to which they may be related). Structured investments involve the same risks as
those of the underlying asset and of derivative instruments. In addition,
regulatory or tax considerations may change during the term of a structured
investment, creating additional risk that the investment may not perform as
anticipated.

Convertible Securities: 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. 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 Fund to value such securities.

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.

Non-diversified: The Fund is a "non-diversified" investment company, which means
that it may invest a larger portion of its assets in the securities of a single
issuer compared with a diversified fund. An investment in the Fund therefore
will entail greater risk than an investment in a diversified fund because a
single security's increase or decrease in value may have a greater impact on the
Fund's value and total return.
Risk, Nondiversified Status rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is a "non-diversified" investment company, which means that it may invest a larger portion of its assets in the securities of a single issuer compared with a diversified fund. An investment in the Fund therefore will entail greater risk than an investment in a diversified fund because a single security's increase or decrease in value may have a greater impact on the Fund's value and total return.
Bar Chart and Performance Table, Heading rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Past Performance
Performance, Narrative rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock 
The Fund is new and does not have a full calendar year of performance or
financial information to present. Once it has been in operation a full calendar
year, performance (including total return) and financial information will be
presented. The Fund's primary benchmark index is the HSBC Asian Local Bond Index
(ALBI). The Fund's secondary benchmark is the J.P. Morgan Asia Credit Index
(JACI).
Performance, One Year or Less rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess The Fund is new and does not have a full calendar year of performance or financial information to present.
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND (Prospectus Summary) | MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND | Investor Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination 2014-08-31
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND (Prospectus Summary) | MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND | Institutional Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination 2014-08-31
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND | Investor Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed on shares held fewer than 90 days) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Management Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.65%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Administration and Shareholder Servicing Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.28% [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.93%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.53%) [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.40%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 143
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 443
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND | Institutional Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed on shares held fewer than 90 days) rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption (2.00%)
Management Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.65%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Administration and Shareholder Servicing Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.15%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 1.13% [1]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.78%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.53%) [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.25%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 127
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 397
[1] "Other Expenses" for the Fund are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
[2] Matthews has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses until August 31, 2014 to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to 1.25% for the Institutional Class and agreed to reduce the expense ratio by an equal amount for the Investor Class. Because certain expenses of the Investor Class are higher than the Institutional Class, the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class will exceed 1.25%. The amounts of the waivers and reimbursements are based on estimated Fund expenses. The fee waiver and expense reimbursement may be terminated at any time by the Fund on 60 days' written notice.