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How to Spend 12 Days in China | Top 13 Itineraries Recommendation

12 days provides an excellent timeframe to discover China's diverse wonders and rich heritage. This duration allows you to enjoy each destination at a relaxed pace, with extra time to wander through local neighborhoods, savor regional cuisines, and truly connect with local culture. Whether you're exploring imperial palaces, walking along ancient city walls, or cruising through spectacular landscapes, you can immerse yourself in every moment of your journey.

Our 12-day China tours can start from major gateway cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, or Chengdu, offering flexibility with international flights. With over a decade of experience, we have thoughtfully designed these itineraries to give you the best of both worlds—covering must-see attractions while allowing time for personal discovery and authentic experiences. Our tours feature carefully selected accommodations, convenient transportation arrangements, and a well-paced schedule that ensures both comfort and fulfillment. All itineraries can be customized to match your interests and preferences.

Our PRIVATE CHINA TOUR Features:

  • Flexible and Customizable:
    A fully customizable itinerary with arrangements made according to your travel date, group size, interests, and budget.
  • Cost-effective Packages:
    Our packages include sightseeing, accommodations, private transportation, flights, and expert guides at the best price - delivering great value while taking care of every detail.
  • Private and Comfortable:
    No group tours - just private guides, cars, drivers, and tailored experiences with the highest quality and best value.
  • Reliable Expertise:
    Be well taken care of by our experienced guides and receive continuous support and expert guidance from your travel consultant before, during, and after your trip.

BEST 12-Day China Tour Itineraries

For first-time visitors to China, we strongly recommend our enhanced Golden Triangle tours (Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai) with added highlights such as a scenic Yangtze River Cruise, the picturesque karst mountains of Guilin, or the giant panda sanctuary in Chengdu. These carefully crafted combinations allow you to experience China's most iconic attractions while diving deeper into its cultural and natural wonders. Here are our most popular 12-day tour packages, each designed to provide an enriching and memorable China experience.

  • CD-BXGZST-12 12 Days Wonders of China Tour
  • West Lake View with Pavilion
    • 12 Days Classical China Vacation
    • This is a tour not only take you to the Golden Triangle - Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, which are must-visits for first-timers, but also to Guilin and Hangzhou to explore world-class Karst Landscapes and lake views!
    • Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Hangzhou / Shanghai
    • from Request / private tour
    • View Tour
  • Gorgeous Scenery of Three Gorges
    • 12 Days Classic China with Yangtze Cruise
    • With a more relaxed pace, you’ll see everything from bustling city to majestic Yangtze River by a relaxing cruise and spend some days stepping back to ancient capitals, exploring the incredible historical wonders and heritage sites.
    • Shanghai / Yangtze Cruise / Chongqing / Xian / Beijing
    • from $2,132 / private tour
    • View Tour
  • The Oriental Pearl Tower stands proudly among the modern skyscrapers of Shanghai
    • 12 Days China Family Yangtze Cruise with Panda Tour
    • You will learn about the Chinese culture and history, also enjoy the fascinating scenery in China. The Panda Loving Care Program in Chengdu is the best highlight of this tour.
    • Beijing / Chengdu / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai
    • from $1674 / private tour
    • View Tour
  • Cute Panda at Chengdu Panda Base
    • 12 Days China Splendid Tour from Hong Kong
    • In a very enjoyable way, this tour takes you to explore the beautiful southern China from Hong Kong to Shanghai - lush landscape, intriguing culture, incredible contrasts, China treasure, etc.
    • Hong Kong / Guilin / Chengdu / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai
    • from $1,598 / private tour
    • View Tour
  • Shaolin Kung Fu Show in Shaolin Temple
    • 12 Days Unforgettable Kungfu Panda Tour
    • This specially designed tour combines the highlights of China' s historical sites with Kungfu (Shaolin Temple) and Giant Pandas (Chengdu Panda Base)!
    • Beijing / Luoyang / Dengfeng / Xian / Chengdu / Shanghai
    • from $2,362 / private tour
    • View Tour
  • Jiayuguan Fort
  • Mogao Caves
    • 12 Days Silk Road Tour from Beijing
    • This 12-day Silk Road tour is designed to show you all the highlights of China Silk Road. Your trip begins in Beijing to Kashgar via Xian, Dunhuang and Turpan.
    • Beijing / Xian / Dunhuang / Turpan / Urumqi
    • from Request / private tour
    • View Tour

Other Recommended 12-Day China Tour Itineraries

For travelers seeking a more immersive experience or those returning to China for new discoveries, we offer specially curated tours to some of China's most captivating regions. Explore the ethnic villages and terraced fields of Yunnan, discover the ancient traditions of Fujian's tulou houses, experience the unique culture of Guizhou's minority groups, etc. These thoughtfully planned itineraries showcase China's incredible diversity and hidden treasures, taking you beyond the usual tourist paths to experience the country's lesser-known but equally fascinating destinations.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  • Experience the Real Shaolin Kung Fu
    If you want to explore the history and culture of China to the fullest, this tour is right for you. Many World Heritage Cultural Sites in the North China like Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Yungang Grottoes, Pingyao Ancient City, Longmen Grottoes etc. are included. You won’t miss Shaolin Kung Fu experience in 12 days.
    • Destinations: Beijing / Datong / Pingyao / Xian / Luoyang / Dengfeng / Zhengzhou
    • Hightlights: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Pingyao Ancient City, Terracotta Warriors, Shaolin Temple, Longmen Grottoes
    • from Request / private tour, Flexible departure

    Check Detail

  • Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery - Louis J from Belg
    Southwest China owns the most charming landscapes and colorful ethnic culture, where you can not enjoy the great beauty of the nature, but also discover how human live harmoniously with the nature. Extended to the Panda's hometown - Chengdu you will spend some happy hours with the cute panda bears. Also a luxury Yangtze River cruise will make your journey more relaxing.
    • Destinations: Kunming / Shangri-La / Lijiang / Chongqing / Yangtze River Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai
    • Hightlights: Stone Forest, Songzanlin Monastery, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lijiang Ancient Town, Yangtze River Cruise, The Bund, Yuyuan Garden
    • from Request / private tour, Flexible departure

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  • Xiapu Xiaohao Village
    12 days’ relaxing, interesting and scenic China coastal tour by the modern, fast and comfortable CRH bullet trains. You will visit colossal Shanghai first, then take a bullet train to Hangzhou, known for its beautiful West Lake, then visit Putuoshan, the holy land for Buddhist pilgrims. The train journey then take you into Fujian Province where you will first spend two days at Xiapu to do some photography of the incredible mudflats, stunning sunrise and sunset, picturesque fishing villages, then move on to Xiamen to see the spectacular Tulou homes - the earth buildings of local Hakka people.
    • Destinations: Shanghai / Hangzhou / Putuoshan / Xiapu / Xiamen / HK
    • Hightlights: The Bund, Wukang Road City Walk, West Lake, Wuzhen Water Town, Puji Temple, Xiapu Mudflats, Gulangyu Island, Tulou Cluster
    • from Request / private tour, Flexible departure

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  • Guizhou Miao Minority Dance
    When you research “Southwest China” on Google, the results will come as “Southwest China is the most exotic area of China, home to many minority ethnic groups.” Yes, Southwest China is the most interesting part of China, from a geographical and ethnological point of view. Geographically, because its recesses have not yet been thoroughly explored, and ethnologically, because this region is easily the most ethnically diverse in China. 26 of China’s 56 ethnic groups can be found in the southwest, which claims about 45 million of China’s 100-million-strong-minority population.
    • Destinations: Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Guiyang / Kaili / Congjiang / Zhaoxing / Longji / Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin
    • Hightlights: Stone Forest, Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple, Dali Old Town, Lijiang Ancient Town, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Langde Upper Miao Village, Biasha Miao Village, Longji Rice Terrace, cruise along the Li River, Yulong River
    • from Request / private tour, Flexible departure

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  • Riding Camel at Mingshashan (Echoing Sand Mountains)
    This tour takes you to travel at your own pace from the Tea Horse Road in northern Sichuan Province where some of China’s most beautiful natural landscape coexisting with Tea-horse history, to the ancient Silk Road in Gansu Province in northwestern China which is the very essence of the entire world Silk Road route. You are rewarded by the cultural significance including Tibetan culture, nomads' life, ancient Buddhist art as well as numerous natural wonders on earth from the most gorgeous lakes and waterfalls of Jiuzhaigou, vast grasslands in Ruoergai to the mighty Yellow River, rainbow mountains of Danxia in Zhangye and beautiful deserts in Dunhuang. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the trip of EVERYTHING!
    • Destinations: Chengdu / Huanglong / Jiuzhaigou / Ruoergai / Langmusi / Xiahe / Lanzhou / Zhangye / Jiayuguan / Dunhuang
    • Hightlights: Jiuzhaigou Valley, Huanglong National Park, Chengdu Panda Base, Ruoergai Prairie, Zhangye Rainbow Mountains, Jiayuguan Pass, Mogao Grottos
    • from $2442 / private tour, Flexible departure

    Check Detail

Frequent Questions about China Travel Asked by Our Clients

Here we list out the most frequently asked questions that our former customers about tour planning, travel documents, itinerary, hotel, booking, dinning. You are also welcomed to submit your question to us, our travel experts are always ready to help. Read more tips »

All our tours are private tour packages except for some programs operated by our partners, such as Yangtze Cruise, Tibet Group Tour, etc. Private tour package means high standard of tour services and more flexibility. Travel with our tour package, you will have your own tour guide and vehicle who only serve for you. Besides, itinerary, hotels, meals and tour activities can all be customized according to your personal need. And for sure, all above services are covered in your tour price, which means you don’t have to worry about extra payment or hidden costs. While providing you the best tour service, we also ensure our tours are valuable and affordable for you.

Where to go?
For the first-timer China tour, you can go to classic destinations, such as Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Yangtze River, Tibet, etc. To add some different experience, you can travel classic destinations with some other unique destinations.
For Nature Enjoyment: Yunnan, Tibet, Sichuan, Gansu, Guizhou, Huangshan, Inner Mongolia, Yangtze River;
For Culture Exploration: Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Tibet, Xinjiang, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Pingyao, Luoyang, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Xiamen, etc.
For Family with Kids: Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc.
For Adventure: Sichuan, Gansu, Xinjiang, Tibet, Yunnan, etc.

When to go?
Since China is so large and diverse, you can always find suitable destinations to visit in each season, or each month. In the big metropolis, such as Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Chengdu, the season doesn't matter as much as visiting natural destinations, because their best highlights are all conveniently located in or near the city downtown, and it is always very easy to book flights, trains and hotels. But some destinations are only recommended to be visited in specific seasons.
Generally speaking, autumn is the best season to travel China when the weather is pleasant and scenery is finest. To avoid the crowds, you can avoid traveling during the festivals, such as National Holiday, Middle Autumn Festival, etc.

Unless you are qualified for Visa-free policies, such as long-term residential visa, transit visa free, or you are from specific countries, you are required to have a Tourist Visa (L Visa) for your China tour. You can apply for Chinese visa in Chinese embassies or consulates in your country. To successfully obtain a Chinese Visa, applicants need to prepare some materials to prove his/her legal identity and purpose of visiting. The most important requirements are basic documents, including your passport and a completed visa application form. And supporting documents relate to your itinerary like flight ticket and hotel booking record and visiting schedule and Invitation Letter, etc. are also very helpful.

Making a booking with us is quite simple: 1) Send an Inquiry; 2) Get a tour package with quotation from us; 3) Amend the tour according to your requirement; 4) You confirm the tour and pay a deposit; 5) Pay the balance; 6) Enjoy your tour.

You can make payment either by Wechat Pay, Alipay, or Bank Transfer, PayPal, even cash. Your travel consultant will instruct you to complete the payment.

If you must cancel your trip, please submit your cancellation in written form by email or fax with your signature as early as possible. The final refund amount depends on when we receive your cancellation notice or letter, and actual expense, such as hotel booking, tickets reservation, etc. Your travel consultant will help you with the detailed process.

It depends on your group size and budget. We have sedan car, SUV, business van (MPV), different types of buses available. No matter where you are going to visit, your vehicle is licensed, air conditioned, clean, and expertly maintained. To maximize your comfort, we use vehicles with extra space for you and your luggage.

In each destination, you’ll stay in a comfortable hotel with great location! We only use hotel with good-ratings, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices. If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.

12-Day Trip Stories Shared by Our Guests

China Discovery is a leading travel agency that provides authentic and high-quality travel experiences. Our tours have attracted customers from various countries, and they enjoyed China tours including those spanning 12 days. You can read about our past customers' travel experiences in the following stories or browse our collection of travel stories. If you've traveled with China Discovery before, we would sincerely appreciate it if you shared your experiences with us.

  • Walter's 12 Days China Travel Story with Yangtze Cruise, Zhangjiajie, and Guilin
    Walter's 12 Days China Travel Story with Yangtze Cruise, Zhangjiajie, and Guilin
    Walter’s group, a couple from Germany, booked a 12-day private tour with Rita (including arrival & departure days), starting from the Yangtze River cruise, and then heading to mystical Zhangjiajie and picturesque Guilin, covering shore excursions, immersive performance, river cruises, and mountain hiking.
    Nature & Sightseeing
  • Mr. and Mrs. Mak's 12 Days Unforgettable Trip in China
    Mr. and Mrs. Mak's 12 Days Unforgettable Trip in China
    Mr. and Mrs. Mak have just finished their unforgettable 12-day trip in China, including Jiuzhaigou and Zhangjiajie, the two World Natural Heritage Sites, with a classic Yangtze River Cruise tour, and also visiting Chengdu, Chongqing and Yichang...
    Nature & Sightseeing Culture & History
  • Travel Alone: 12-Day Tibet Adventure to Meet the Everest
    Travel Alone: 12-Day Tibet Adventure to Meet the Everest
    Anthony reached the top of the world and visited several famous Tibetan monasteries in his Tibet trip. It was an amazing experience, not only for the unparalleled scenery but also for the total different lifestyle of the local people.
    Nature & Sightseeing Culture & History Religions & Believes

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

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