Written by Veronica |
China is a large country with ancient history and rich culture. However, it is not as simple as it sounds. With such a vast area of land, regional cultures, history, and landscapes differ significantly from one another. Thatās why you will enjoy a 12-day China tour. 12 days in China will allow you to get a better picture of what the country and its people are really like.
This article will help you plan your perfect 12-day China tour. First, weāll recommend you some of the best places to visit in China. Then, we will list some popular itineraries for your reference. Lastly, weāll give you some practical tips for planning a China tour.
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- How to Spend 12 Days in China ā Your Travel Theme & Style
- Top Destinations & Must-See Attractions for 12 Days in China
- Best 12-Day China Itineraries (Curated for 2025)
- Essential Travel Tips for 12 Days in China
- Plan Your China Tour with Us
How to Spend 12 Days in China ā Your Travel Theme & Style
The main advantage of a 12-day China trip is that you wonāt be too limited on time to visit different cities. You can get a taste of different aspects of China. Visit historic cities in China like Beijing and Xiāan to discover ancient wonders from the past. Head to Guilin or Yunnan for awe-inspiring landscapes. With 12 days in China, you can fit all these elements into your itinerary and extend your tour beyond the classic destinations.
If youād like to go on a focused theme tour or an in-depth tour, first decide your travel style. For example, you can go on a Silk Road tour to explore the ancient trade route and the historical sites along the way. Or if youāre taking a family trip to China, you can consider kid-friendly attractions and fun cultural activities.
Top Destinations & Must-See Attractions for 12 Days in China
The Golden Triangle of China ā Iconic Cities for First-Time Visitors
Beijing
Beijing is without a doubt the most famous city in the country. You should definitely visit this ancient capital if itās your first time traveling to China. Many of its must-see attractions carry historical significance like the Forbidden City, the imperial palace of Ming and Qing Dynasty. The Great Wall will certainly be another highlight of your trip. Beijing is a great city to visit for family tours and culture tours alike.
Xiāan
What made Xiāan famous across the world was the unearthing of the Terracotta Army. The ancient, mysterious construction shocked the world with thousands of life-sized soldiers and chariots made of clay. They were built and buried there to guard the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It is an incredible site to see. Other historic wonders in Xiāan include the ancient City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Shanghai
Shanghai is another top destination in China. It is the image of modern China with its impressive skyline. Take a walk along the Bund or take a night cruise. You will have the best view while feeling the evening breeze. Shanghai is city of both modernity and traditions. Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Old Street will give you a glimpse of the cityās past.
Natural Wonders for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Guilin
Guilin is renowned as the most beautiful city in China for its unique karst landforms. The beautiful Li River flows through the city into the countrysides. Thousands of karst hills rise out of the river in strange shapes. Wild caves with amazing rock formations provide excellent opportunities for exploration adventure. You can take a river cruise to enjoy the views and take photographs.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie is another popular destination for China nature adventure trips. The countless pinnacles that pierce through the clouds inspired the fictional world of Avatar. Thereāre plenty of activities to do. Apart from hiking, you can cross the worldās longest and highest glass bridge above a deep canyon and take the tallest elevator in the world to the top of the mountain.
Jiuzhaigou
Sichuan Province has many mountains and valleys with incredible sceneries. Jiuzhaigou is the most famous scenic area not far from Chengdu. Snow-capped peaks, the blue sky, lush forests, and waterfalls form a beautiful picture. Itās a paradise for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers.
Huangshan
Huangshan is also famous for its mountains, however theyāll give you a different experience from Guilin and Zhangjiajie. The Yellow Mountain has its signature āfour wonders,ā peculiar pines, bizarre rocks, Sea of Clouds, and ancient hot springs. Your hike will be full of surprises and things to see. Spending a night in the mountains and you will be rewarded with one of the best sunrises of your life.
For Rich Cultural Experiences
Pingyao
Pingyao is the perfect place to step back into history on your China cultural tour. The large ancient city still preserves lots of architecture and streets from Ming and Qing dynasties. Over 300 historical sites, including temples and old family complexes, will tell you the ancient story of the city.
Chengdu
Chengdu is the heart of southwestern Chinese culture. Two of the most famous cultural symbols of China originated from here. One is the adorable giant pandas. There are reserves and conservation sites where you can see them in their natural habitat and interact with them. The other is hotpot. Enjoy the local laid-back lifestyle while youāre in Chengdu and have an authentic meal.
Hangzhou and Suzhou
With 12 days in China, you can fully explore the Jiangnan region around Shanghai which has a distinctive culture and lifestyle. Hangzhou and Suzhou are two popular Shanghai side trip destinations. They are the birthplace of silk, tea, and has many of the best water towns in China. Hangzhou is famed for its picturesque West Lake, and Suzhou for its classical gardens with signature Jiangnan architecture.
Unique Ethnic Cultures and Plateau Sceneries
Yunnan
Yunnan is the best place to discover ethnic diversity in China. You can visit ancient towns built by different ethnic groups like Lijiang Old Town of the Naxi people and Dali Ancient Town of the Bai people. They live amongst the rolling mountains of Yunnan. Aside from exploring local cultures, you can also go on a Yunnan hiking and photography tour to some of the most beautiful places in China.
Tibet
Visit Tibet, the roof of the world. With 12 days in China, you may even take a road trip from Sichuan into Tibet on G318 highway. Along the way, you will drive over mountains, past alpine lakes and ancient forests. You will stop over in Tibetan towns and villages where you can experience life of the locals. When you make it to your final destination, you will be greeted by the magnificent Potala Palace.
Best 12-Day China Itineraries (Curated for 2025)
Here are some of our best 12-day China tour itineraries of 2025 for your reference, including different cities and themes.
Shanghai-Yangtze River-Xiāan-Beijing 12-Day Itinerary ā Iconic First China Experience
- Highlights: iconic cities and attractions, Chinese history, cityscapes, giant panda experience, natural sceneries, cruise experience
- Recommended for: first-time visitors of China, history lovers, families
Day 1: Shanghai arrival, Nanjing Road
Day 2: Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar, Lujiazui sightseeing, the Bund, Huangpu River Night Cruise
Day 3: Shanghai Museum, flight to Yichang, board Yangtze River Cruise
Day 4: Cruise activities, Three Gorges Dam, Three Gorges Tribe
Day 5: Three Gorges, Shennv Stream, cruise activities
Day 6: Fengdu Ghost City, cruise activities
Day 7: Disembark Yangtze River Cruise in Chongqing, Chongqing Zoo, flight to Xiāan
Day 8: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Xian Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower and Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter
Day 9: Shaanxi History Museum, flight/high-speed train to Beijing
Day 10: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Beijing Hutongs
Day 11: Great Wall hiking tour, Ming Tombs, Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 12: Jingshan Park, Yonghe Palace, Beijing departure
Our Best Itinerary: 12 Days Shanghai-Yangtze River-Xian-Beijing Tour
Kung Fu & Panda Tour (Beijing-Luoyang-Xiāan-Chengdu-Shanghai) 12-Day Itinerary ā Ultimate China History and Culture Tour
- Highlights: Kung Fu performance and guided lesson, giant panda experience, Chinese history, iconic cities
- Recommended for: families, culture lovers, first-time visitors of China
Day 1: Beijing arrival, Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 2: Great Wall hiking tour, Ming Tombs, the Summer Palace
Day 3: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, Jingshan Park, Yonghe Palace, Beijing Hutongs
Day 4: High-speed train to Luoyang, Longmen Grottoes
Day 5: Shaolin Temple (Kung Fu performance and guided class), Luoyang Museum, high-speed train to Xiāan
Day 6: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Xian Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower and Drum Tower, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Day 7: Shaanxi History Museum, Muslim Quarter, the Great Mosque, high-speed train to Chengdu
Day 8: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Jinli Pedestrian Street, Kuanzhai Alley
Day 9: Leshan Giant Buddha, flight to Shanghai, acrobatic show at Shanghai Circus World
Day 10: Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar, the Bund, Huangpu River Night Cruise
Day 11: Zhujiajiao Water Town, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Old Street, Nanjing Road
Day 12: Shanghai departure
Our Best Itinerary: 12-Day Chinese Kung Fu & Panda Tour
Beijing-Xiāan-Shanghai-Guilin-Hong Kong 12-Day Itinerary ā Classic China City Tour
- Highlights: major cities of China, cityscapes, history, karst landscapes, river cruise experience
- Recommended for: first-time visitors of China, history and culture lovers
Day 1: Beijing arrival, Beijing Hutongs
Day 2: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Jingshan Park, Yonghe Palace
Day 3: Great Wall hiking tour, Ming Tombs, Birdās Nest and Water Cube, Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 4: High-speed train to Xiāan, Muslim Quarter
Day 5: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Xian Ancient City Wall, Bell Tower and Drum Tower, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Day 6: Shaanxi History Museum, flight to Shanghai, Nanjing Road
Day 7: Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Old Street, The Bund, Huangpu River Night Cruise
Day 8: Flight to Guilin, Reed Flute Cave
Day 9: Li River cruise to Yangshuo, Yangshuo West Street, countryside cycling
Day 10: Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park, high-speed train to Hong Kong
Day 11: Victoria Peak, Aberdeen Fishing Village, night market exploration
Day 12: Star Ferry, Hong Kong departure
Our Best Itinerary: 12 Days Beijing Xian Shanghai Guilin & Hong Kong Tour
China Silk Road 12-Day Itinerary ā Explore the History of the Ancient Trade Route
- Highlights: grottoes exploration, stunning natural sceneries, Buddhist heritage, culture of northwestern China
- Recommended for: history and culture lovers, China in-depth tour,
Day 1: Xiāan arrival, Bell Tower and Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter
Day 2: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, Xian Ancient City Wall, high-speed train to Lanzhou, Lanzhou Night Market
Day 3: Binglingsi Grottoes, drive to Xiahe
Day 4: Labrang Monastery, Sangke Grassland, drive back to Lanzhou
Day 5: High-speed train to Zhangye, Matisi Grottoes
Day 6: Rainbow Mountains, Giant Buddha Temple
Day 7: Drive to Jiayuguan, Jiayuguan Pass, Overhanging Great Wall, Weijin Tombs
Day 8: Drive to Dunhuang, Echoing-Sand Mountain and Crescent La, Shazhou Night Market
Day 9: Mogao Caves, high-speed train to Turpan
Day 10: Karez Well, Sugong Pagoda, Tuyu Valley, Flaming Mountains, Jiaohe Ruins, drive to Urumqi
Day 11: Heavenly Lake and Tianshan Mountain, Xinjiang International Bazaar
Day 12: Xinjiang Regional Museum, Urumqi departure
Our Best Itineraries:
- 12 Days Ancient China Silk Road Tour from Xian to Urumqi
- 12 Days China Silk Road Tour from Beijing to Kashgar
- 12 Days Silk Road Tour from Shanghai to South Xinjiang
Essential Travel Tips for 12 Days in China
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to China?
Although China does have a number of visa-free travel policies in place, if youāre looking to spend 12 days in China, a visa is most likely required, unless you meet the requirements for the 30-Day Visa-Free Policy. Otherwise, you need to apply for a Chinese visa before your trip.
Transportation
If itās your first time traveling to China, you will most likely start your 12-day China itinerary in a major gateway city like Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong. You can get to these cities easily through direct flights from most major cities in the world or maybe making one transfer. From there, continue your journey by high-speed train or domestic flight.
Within major cities, the metro system will take you around for a cheap price. Youāll be able to reach most attractions and busy districts. For cities without a metro system, taxis are readily available and convenient. If youāre traveling to more rural or mountainous areas, public transportation methods may be scarce, and you might want to consider booking a tour package with private transfers.
Best Time to Visit China for a 12-Day Tripāā
The best time to visit China varies by region and the travel experience you wish to have. In general, the best seasons are spring and autumn. The weather tends to be clear with pleasant temperatures. Natural sceneries are the most colorful and vibrant. The peak tourist seasons to avoid are summers and China public holidays.
Making Payments in China
There are a few ways to make payments in China for tourists. The most recommended method is by electronic payment, the most prevalent way of paying in China right now. You simply need to download WeChat Pay or Alipay and add your bank cards. You will pay by scanning or presenting a QR code. Itāll save you a lot of time and trouble. Of course you can still pay by cash. However, cards may not be accepted at many places these days, especially private vendors.
Plan Your China Tour with Us
Travel to China with us and make the best of your time and money. You will be assisted by experienced travel experts and professional local guides. We can help you customize your 12-day China itinerary. Here are some of our best tour packages for your reference.
