12 Days China Travel Itinerary, Plan a 12-Day Tour to China

If you are planning a 12-day itinerary in China, where would you like to go? Is it your first time in China, or is it your second or third visit?

We typically recommend staying at least 2 nights in each destination, with too many sites to visit like Beijing or Lhasa requiring 3 nights or more.

For a first-time visit, we suggest 3 nights in Beijing, 2 nights in Xi'an, and 4 nights in Guilin/Yangshuo/Longji Terraces, and 2 nights in Shanghai or Hong Kong. Alternatively, you could consider 3 nights in Beijing, 2 nights in Xi'an, 2 nights in Chengdu, 3 nights in the Three Gorges, and 1 night in Shanghai.

If this is your second or third visit to China, you might explore options like Inner Mongolia for 7-10 days, Yunnan for 7-12 days, the Silk Road (Lanzhou-Xiahe-Dunhuang-Xinjiang), Guizhou, Sichuan's Leshan/Jiuzhaigou/Daocheng Yading, Tibet, and other regions.

The following 12-day itinerary in China is provided for your reference, and we can also tailor a personalized itinerary for your unique travel preferences.

pPhoto with Travel Adivsor Lydia

"We recently completed a 12 day tour of China and it was an amazing experience. We went to Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai and Tongli. China Culture Tour was amazing to work with and I highly recommend working with them. I did some research on different travel companies and narrowed down to China Culture Tour and another company." View the full feedback from Howad »

12 Days China Highlights

Beijing/Xi'an/Guilin/Shanghai

Day 1: Beijing Arrival

Hotel recommendations: Peninsula, Fairont, the Opposite House, Double Happiness Hotel, etc.

Day 2: Beijing

Forbidden City

Tianmenmen Square(Flag Raising Ceremony begins at about 5am in summer and 6am in winter), Forbidden City/Jingshan Park(where you can have a overlook the buildings), Temple of Heaven(where you can learn Tai Chi in the morning), Summer Palace with cruise, Beijing Hot Pot for Dinner, Explore Wangfujing Street or Watch Peking Opera in the evening.

Day 3: Beijing

Great Wall of Mutianyu by cable car or feet, Dingling Tomb, Peking Duck for dinner, Kung Fu Show or Houhai Bar Street in the evening.

Day 4: Beijing to Xian by fast train(14:05-18:30)

Hutong Rickshaw, family visit in Hutong, train to Xian, music fountain and Datang Everbright City in the evening.

Hotels recommendation: Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xian, Intercontinental, Shangri La, Westin, etc.

Terracotta Army

Day 5:  Xian

Terracotta Warriors, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Ancient City Wall by bike or golf car, Tang Dynasty Show in the evening.

Day 6: Xian

Shaanxi History Museum, Stele Forest, Dumpling Makine in a local residence, Muslim Quarter plus Mosque, Gao's Family Grand Courtyard, Puppet Show/Shadow Show.

Day 6: Xian to Guilin by flight(06:45-09:00)

Li River,Xingping

Reed Flute Cave, Fubo Hill, Elephant Trunk Hill, Solitary Beauty Peak Prince City Scenic Area, Pedestrian Street and Dongxi Valley, Cruise on the 2-4 Lakes in the evening.

Guilin Hotels Recommendation: Shangri La, Sheraton, Bravo Hotel, etc.

Day 7: Guilin to Yangshuo by boat

Take a 4 hours cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, explore the West Street and enjoy a couple of coffee.

Yangshuo Hotel recommendations: Banyan Tree Resort, Mountain Retreat Resort, etc.

Day 8: Yangshuo

Biking, bamboo rafting on Yulong River, Rock Climbing, cooking experience in the afternoon, enjoy a sunset at Nature & Grace Camping Base, Impression Liu Sanjie in the evening.

Day 9: Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraced Fields by transfer

Terraces Fields, Longji

Pingan Village, Seven stars with the moon, Ancient Zhuang Village, visit a local Yao family and bamboo rice making.

Hotels in Longji Recommendation: Li-An Lodge, Baike Boutique Hotel, etc.

Day 10:  Longji/Guilin to Shanghai by flight(17:50-20:15)

The Bund, Shanghai

Visit Mahai Village and learn how the traditional paper making, drive about 2 hours from Longji to Guilin airport for flight to Shanghai.

Shanghai Hotel Recommendation: Fairmont, URBN Hotel, Le Meridian Shanghai, Shangri La, Park Hyatt, etc.

Day 11: Shanghai

The bund, Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai World Financial Center, Tianzifang, Huangpu River Cruise or Era Acrobatic Show in the evening.

Day 12: Shanghai Departure

Related 12 Days China Tours

• 12 Days Giant Panda Fun for Family: Beijing Xian Chengdu Guilin and Shanghai »
• Customize my China tour now »

12 Days China Triangle

Beijing Hangzhou Suzhou Huangshan and Shanghai

Peking Opera, Beijing

Day 1: Beijing Arrival

Day 2: Beijing

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City plus Jingshan Park, Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace with cruise, Wangfujing Street, Peking Opera Show in the evening.

Day 3:  Beijing

Great Wall (suggested Mutianyu or Jinshanling), Dingling Tomb, Peking Duck for dinner, Houtai Bar Street or Chinese Kung Fu Show in the evening.

Day 4: Beijing to Huangshan by fast train(06:54-12:13)

Yellow Mountain, Huangshan

Take cable car to the top of the mountain from Yungu Cable Station, visit Beginning-to-believe Peak and Xihai Grand Canyon, Stay overnight at the summit

Day 5: Huangshan

Explore the mountain in the early morning, drive to Hongcun Village and Xidi Village, stay overnight in Hongcun Village.

Day 6: Huangshan to Zhangzhou by fast trai(07:22-09:10)

Nanxun Water Town, Hangzhou

West Lake with cruise and Lingyin Temple, Hefang Street and Impression West Lake in the evening.

Day 7: Hangzhou

Paint your own oiled-paper umbrella, Meijiawu Tea Plantation, Chenghuang Pavilion

Day 8: Hangzhou to Suzhou by fast train(08:07-09:50)

Tongli Water Town, Suzhou

Humble Administrator's Garden, Garden of the Master of Nets, rickshaw ride to explore the alleys of Suzhou, visit the "Night Garden" in the Garden of the Master of Nets in the evening.

Day 9: Suzhou

Tiger Hill, Biluochun tea picking experience, Tongli Water Town.

Day 10: Suzhou to Shanghai by fast train(08:02-08:37)

Yu Garden, Shanghai

The bund, Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai World Financial Center, Tianzifang, Huangpu River Cruise or Era Acrobatic Show in the evening.

Day 11: Shanghai

1 Day Disneyland tour

Day 12: Shanghai Departure

Related 12 Days China Tours

• 9 Days China Water Town Tour to Shanghai Huangshan Hangzhou and Suzhou »
• 14 Days China Water Town Tour to Beijing Xian Hangzhou Huangshan Suzhou and Shanghai »
• Customize my China tour now »

12 Days Best of China

Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian and Beijing

Day 1: Shanghai Arrival

Day 2: The bund, Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai World Financial Center, Tianzifang, Huangpu River Cruise or Era Acrobatic Show in the evening.

Day 3: Shanghai to Chengdu by plane, Chengdu, enjoy a Spicy Hot Pot for lunch, Chengdu Museum, and Wenshu Temple in the afternoon, enjoy a Face Changing Opera in the evening.

Day 4: Chengdu, a full day Panda Volunteer Experience at the Dujiangyan/Bifengxia/Shenshuping/Hetaoping Panda Base from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, explore Kuanzhai Alley and Chunxi Road in the evening.

Day 5: Chengdu-Leshan-Chengdu, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Leshan Giant Buddha, explore the Tianfu Square.

Day 6: Chengdu to Xian by plane or fast train, half day Sichuan food cooking experience, take a train to Xian after lunch.

Day 7: Xian,  Xian City Wall, Muslim Quarter

Day 8: Xian to Beijing by train

Day 9: Beijing, Great Wall of Mutianyu, Temple of Heaven, Peking duck dinner

Day 10: Beijing, Visit the Shanghai Museum, Explore the French Concession

Day 11: Beijing, Visit the Jade Buddha Temple, Take a cruise on the Huangpu River

Day 12: Beijing Departure

12 Days Tibet, China

Beijing Tibet Xian and Shanghai

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, Visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, Explore the hutongs (traditional alleyways) in the evening

Day 2: Beijing, Visit the Great Wall of China, Visit the Temple of Heaven, Enjoy a Peking duck dinner

Day 3: Beijing to Lhasa (Tibet), Fly to Lhasa and acclimatize to the high altitude

Day 4: Lhasa, Visit the Potala Palace, Explore the Jokhang Temple

Day 5: Lhasa, Visit Drepung and Sera Monasteries, Explore the local markets

Day 6: Lhasa to Xian, Fly to Xian, Visit the Terracotta Warriors

Day 7: Xian, Visit the Xian City Wall, Explore the Muslim Quarter

Day 8: Xian to Shanghai, Fly to Shanghai

Day 9: Shanghai, Visit the Bund and the Shanghai Tower, Explore the Yuyuan Garden and the Old Town

Day 10: Shanghai, Visit the Shanghai Museum, Explore the French Concession

Day 11: Shanghai, Visit the Jade Buddha Temple, Take a cruise on the Huangpu River

Day 12: Depart Shanghai

12 Days Colorful Yunnan

Beijing Yunnan Shanghai

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, visit the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven.

Day 2: Visit Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China, and the Summer Palace.

Day 3: Take a day trip to the Great Wall of China (Mutianyu or Jinshanling sections)

Day 4: Take a stroll through the Hutongs, traditional alleyway neighborhoods, and visit the Lama Temple.

Day 5: Fly to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. Explore the city and visit the Green Lake Park.

Day 6: Take a day trip to the Stone Forest, a limestone formation that resembles a forest.

Day 7: Visit the Western Hills, a scenic area with temples and pagodas.

Day 8: Take a bus to Dali, a city known for its traditional Bai minority culture. Explore the Old Town and visit the Three Pagodas.

Day 9: Take a boat trip on Erhai Lake and visit the Xizhou Bai village.

Day 10: Take a bus to Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its traditional Naxi minority culture. Explore the Old Town and visit the Black Dragon Pool.

Day 11: Take a day trip to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world.

Day 12: Return to Kunming and fly back to Beijing or your next destination.

12 Days China Silk Road

Xian Dunhuang Turpan Urumqi Kashgar

Day 1: Arrive in Shanghai and check into your hotel. Spend the day exploring the city and visiting popular attractions such as The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and the Shanghai Tower.

Day 2: Take a full-day tour of Shanghai, visiting the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Shanghai Tower. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Chinese dinner and a performance of the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.

Day 3: Take a day trip to Suzhou, known for its beautiful gardens and traditional architecture. Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden, and take a boat ride on the Grand Canal.

Day 4: Take a train to Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province. Check into your hotel and spend the evening exploring the city's night market.

Day 5: Take a full-day tour of Guiyang, visiting the Jiaxiu Tower, the Hongfeng Lake, and the Huangguoshu Waterfall.

Day 6: Take a bus to the ethnic Miao village of Xijiang, known for its traditional architecture and beautiful natural scenery. Spend the day exploring the village and learning about the local culture.

Day 7: Take a bus to the ethnic Dong village of Zhaoxing, known for its traditional drum towers and wooden houses. Spend the day exploring the village and learning about the local culture.

Day 8: Take a bus to the ethnic Bouyei village of Leishan, known for its traditional drum towers and wooden houses. Spend the day exploring the village and learning about the local culture.

Day 9: Take a bus to the ethnic Buyi village of Shidong, known for its traditional drum towers and wooden houses. Spend the day exploring the village and learning about the local culture.

Day 10: Take a bus to the ethnic Miao village of Langde, known for its traditional drum towers and wooden houses. Spend the day exploring the village and learning about the local culture.

Day 11: Take a bus to Guiyang and spend the evening packing and preparing for your flight back home.

Day 12: Depart Guiyang and fly back home.

If the above routes are not your cup of tea, then contact us to customize your 12 China tour itinerary >>

Related 14 Days China Tours

• Hong Kong Guiyang Kaili Fenghuang Ancient Town Zhangjiajie and Shanghai »
• Customize my China tour now »

If the above routes are not your cup of tea, then contact us to customize your 2 weeks China tour itinerary »

Related China Itineraries

• 2 weeks China itinerary »
• 3 weeks China itinerary »
• 4 weeks China itinerary »
• 1 month China itineary »
• 60 days China itinerary »
• Contact us to customize your China tour itinerary »