Label	Element	Value
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
ProspectusDate	rr_ProspectusDate	Apr. 27, 2012
MATTHEWS KOREA FUND (Second Prospectus Summary) | MATTHEWS KOREA FUND
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return, Heading	rr_RiskReturnHeading	Matthews Korea Fund
Investment Objective, Heading	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment Objective
investment Objective, Primary	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	Long-term capital appreciation
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 30% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	30.00%
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 Korea Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its total net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in South Korea. A company is considered to be "located" in a country if it (i) is organized under the laws of that country; (ii) derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, services performed, or has at least 50% of its assets located within that country; (iii) has the primary trading markets for its securities in that country; or (iv) is a governmental entity or an agency, instrumentality or a political subdivision of that country. The Fund seeks to invest in companies capable of sustainable growth based on the fundamental characteristics of those companies, including balance sheet information; number of employees; size and stability of cash flow; management's depth, adaptability and integrity; product lines; marketing strategies; corporate governance; and financial health.
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, South Korea 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 and Frontier Markets: Many Asian countries are considered emerging or frontier markets. Such markets are often less stable politically and economically than developed markets such as the United States, and investing in these markets involves different and greater risks. There may be less publicly available information about companies in emerging and frontier markets. Their stock exchanges and brokerage industries typically 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).    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.    Risks associated with South Korea: Investing in South Korean securities has special risks, including political, economic and social instability, and the potential for increasing militarization in North Korea. The market capitalization and trading volume of issuers in South Korean securities markets are concentrated in a small number of issuers, which results in potentially fewer investment opportunities for the Funds. South Korea's financial sector has shown certain signs of systemic weakness and illiquidity, which, if exacerbated, could prove to be a material risk for any investments in South Korea. South Korea is dependent on foreign sources for its energy needs. A significant increase in energy prices could have an adverse impact on South Korea's economy.    The South Korean government has historically exercised and continues to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. The South Korean government from time to time has informally influenced the prices of certain products, encouraged companies to invest or to concentrate in particular industries and induced mergers between companies in industries experiencing excess capacity.
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.
Bar Chart and Performance Table, Heading	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past Performance
Performance, Narrative	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The bar chart below shows the Fund's performance for the first complete calendar year of operations. 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 the first complete calendar year of operations. 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 RETURN FOR YEAR ENDED 12/31
Bar Chart, Narrative	rr_BarChartNarrativeTextBlock	The bar chart below shows the Fund's performance for the first complete calendar year of operations.
Bar Chart, Closing	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Best Quarter Q4 2011 8.77% Worst Quarter Q3 2011 -20.43
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, 2011
MATTHEWS KOREA FUND (Second Prospectus Summary) | MATTHEWS KOREA FUND | Korea Composite Stock Price Index
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Korea Composite Stock Price Index
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(13.01%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception Secondary	ck0000923184_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInceptionSecondary	(4.02%)
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date Secondary	ck0000923184_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDateSecondary	Oct. 29, 2010
MATTHEWS KOREA FUND (Second Prospectus Summary) | MATTHEWS KOREA FUND | Institutional Class Shares
Risk Return [Abstract]	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	0.15%
Other Expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.40%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.07%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	109
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	340
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	590
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,306
Annual Return 2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(6.05%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2011
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	8.77%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(20.43%)
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Matthews Korea Fund Return before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(6.05%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	1.66%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 29, 2010
MATTHEWS KOREA FUND (Second Prospectus Summary) | MATTHEWS KOREA FUND | Institutional Class Shares | After Taxes on Distributions
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Matthews Korea Fund Return after taxes on distributions	[1]
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(6.51%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.96%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 29, 2010
MATTHEWS KOREA FUND (Second Prospectus Summary) | MATTHEWS KOREA FUND | Institutional Class Shares | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Matthews Korea Fund Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares	[1]
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.86%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	1.62%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 29, 2010

[1] 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.