12 Days in China: From Top Cities to Silk Road Hidden Gems

With 12 days to explore China, you can experience it in more than one way. Choose from four distinct itineraries that take you through bustling cities, cultural landmarks, and breathtaking scenery. Three routes showcase China's classic highlights, while one leads you along the lesser-known Silk Road, full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. No matter your pace or interests, there's a journey here that will make your visit unforgettable.

Itinerary #1: Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, Xi'an & Beijing

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
1	Arrival in Shanghai, Leisure Evening	Shanghai
2	A Leisurely Tour of Shanghai: Museum, Yu Garden, The Bund	Shanghai
3	Flight to Guilin, Free Time	Guilin
4	Li River Cruise, Yangshuo West Street	Guilin
5	Flight to Chengdu, Free Evening	Chengdu
6	A Day in Chengdu: Pandas, Temples, and Street Food	Chengdu
7	Bullet Train to Xi'an, Leisure Evening	Xi'an
8	Visit Terracotta Warriors, experience culture and history of Xi'an.	Xi'an
9	Cooking with Locals, Flight to Beijing	Beijing
10	Explore Beijing's culturally significant places: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City	Beijing
11	Great Wall at Mutianyu, Changling Tomb	Beijing
12	Departure from Beijing	-

Start your 12-day trip from Shanghai and end in Beijing, with stops in Guilin, Chengdu, and Xi'an along the way. This route gives you a real taste of China's diversity: from futuristic skylines to misty rivers, pandas, and ancient history.

Your journey begins in Shanghai, where modern towers rise beside colonial buildings along the Bund. Visit Yu Garden for a quiet moment in the middle of the city, and the Shanghai Museum to learn how this modern metropolis grew from its ancient roots. If you want to see how locals spend their day, a walk in Fuxing Park will show you people playing Taiji, chatting, or dancing in the open air.

Next, fly to Guilin, one of China's most photographed landscapes. A cruise on the Li River reveals green karst peaks mirrored in the water, a scene that has inspired countless paintings. Stop in Yangshuo for a stroll down West Street, full of small shops and cafés.

Li River Cruise, Guilin

Then head to Chengdu, home to the giant pandas. At the Chengdu Research Base, you can see them up close as they eat, play, or nap. Afterwards, explore Jinli Old Street, where you can sample spicy snacks and feel the city's laid-back charm.

In Xi'an, stand before the Terracotta Warriors, a silent army that has guarded China's first emperor for more than two thousand years. For something more personal, take part in a cooking class and learn to make local dishes with a Xi'an family.

Your trip ends in Beijing, where the past meets the present. Walk along the quieter section of the Great Wall at Mutianyu, visit the Forbidden City to see where emperors once ruled, and spend some time at the Temple of Heaven, where locals gather each morning to sing, play music, or practice Tai Chi.

Itinerary #2: China Family Tour: From Beijing to Shanghai

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
1	Arrival in Beijing	Beijing
2	Forbidden City Exploration & Hutong	Beijing
3	Great Wall Adventure & Temple of Heaven Glimpse	Beijing
4	Panda Cuddles & Xi'an Bound	Xi'an
5	Terracotta Warriors Encounter	Xi'an
6	Dumpling Delights & Guilin Gateway	Guilin
7	Rice Terrace Trekking in Longsheng	Longsheng
8	Cave Wonders & Guilin Return	Guilin
9	Picturesque Li River & Yangshuo Fun	Yangshuo
10	Biking the Backroads & Shanghai Sojourn	Shanghai
11	Discover Shanghai's Treasures	Shanghai
12	Farewell, Shanghai!	-

This family-friendly 12-day trip connects China's great landmarks with local life and a pace that suits both parents and kids. From the imperial past of Beijing to the modern energy of Shanghai, every stop offers experiences that are fun, educational, and memorable.

The journey starts in Beijing, where the vast Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City introduce China's imperial history in a way children can see and feel. A rickshaw ride through the hutongs adds a glimpse of old courtyard life, while the Great Wall at Mutianyu gives the whole family a sense of adventure without being too strenuous. The Temple of Heaven Park is a calm place to watch locals playing music or practicing Tai Chi. It is a nice change of pace after sightseeing.

In Xi'an, the Terracotta Warriors never fail to impress both kids and adults with their sheer number and detail. A visit to a local family for a dumpling-making lesson is a highlight that turns lunch into laughter. In the evening, a gentle bike ride or walk along the city wall gives a different view of this ancient capital.

Terracotta Warriors, Xi'an

The landscapes of Guilin feel almost unreal, with green hills mirrored in the clear water of the Li River. The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is peaceful and photogenic, ideal for families who enjoy quiet moments together. Around Yangshuo, the Longji Rice Terraces make an easy day trip, as the trails are well-kept, and the scenery changes beautifully with the light.

Your final stop is Shanghai, a city that blends past and present in every street. The Shanghai Natural History Museum is great for curious kids, and Yu Garden or the Jade Buddha Temple offers a slower pace for everyone to unwind. End your journey at the Bund, watching the skyline light up across the river - a simple, perfect moment to wrap up your China adventure.

After 12 days together, you'll leave China with shared stories, new tastes, and a better sense of how tradition and modern life coexist here every day.

Itinerary #3: Essence of China: From Hong Kong to Beijing

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
1	Arrival in Hong Kong	Hong Kong
2	Victoria Peak Circle Walk	Hong Kong
3	High-Speed Train to Guilin	Guilin
4	Li River Cruise to Yangshuo	Yangshuo
5	Yangshuo Countryside Exploration	Yangshuo
6	Reed Flute Cave, Flight to Xi'an	Xi'an
7	Terracotta Warriors Tour	Xi'an
8	Gao's Grand Courtyard, Train to Beijing	Beijing
9	Forbidden City and Jingshan Hill	Beijing
10	Mutianyu Great Wall	Beijing
11	Temple of Heaven, Hutong Tour	Beijing
12	Departure from Beijing	-

This journey takes you from the modern pulse of Hong Kong to the ancient heart of Beijing. It's a route that links city skylines with quiet rivers, lively streets with centuries of history. Each stop shows a different side of China's culture and everyday life.

Your trip begins in Hong Kong, a city where tradition and innovation live side by side. Take the tram up to Victoria Peak for sweeping views of the harbor and skyline. Wander through lively neighborhoods filled with markets, small temples, and food stalls, and you'll quickly feel the rhythm of the city.

Hong Kong Street View

A high-speed train brings you to Guilin, known for its striking limestone hills. A cruise on the Li River offers one of the most peaceful and beautiful experiences in China, with misty peaks reflecting in the calm water. In nearby Yangshuo, the pace slows down. Cycle or ride through the countryside, passing rice fields and small villages along the Yulong River. A local cooking class adds a personal touch and a chance to enjoy your own creations.

Continue to Xi'an, where the Terracotta Warriors reveal the scale of China's ancient ambition. Spend some time in the Muslim Quarter, where narrow streets are filled with food stalls and a mix of aromas that tell the story of Silk Road influences.

Your final stop is Beijing. Walk through the Forbidden City and imagine the world of emperors and courtiers. Visit the Temple of Heaven, where locals still gather to sing and play music. Then head to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a section surrounded by forested hills and fewer crowds, offering space to take in the view and the history in quiet moments.

Itinerary #4: A 12-Day China Ancient Silk Road Adventure

Day	Things to Do	Overnight
1	Arrive in Xi'an, Unwind and Explore	Xi'an
2	Terracotta Warriors and Ancient City Vibes	Xi'an
3	From Xi'an to Jiayuguan's Historic Wonders	Jiayuguan
4	Discover Jiayuguan Pass and Great Wall Stories	Jiayuguan
5	Journey from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang	Dunhuang
6	Unveil the Secrets of Mogao Grottoes	Dunhuang
7	Sand Dunes and Crescent Moon Spring in Dunhuang	Dunhuang
8	From Dunhuang to the Oasis of Turpan	Turpan
9	Explore Ancient Ruins and Flaming Mountain	Turpan
10	Journey to Kashgar via Urumqi	Kashgar
11	Mosques and Bazaars in Kashgar	Kashgar
12	Departure from Kashgar	-

This 12-day journey follows one of the world's most storied routes, the Silk Road. From ancient capitals to desert outposts, it offers a close look at how trade, culture, and faith once connected East and West.

Begin in Xi'an, the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. The Terracotta Army stands as a remarkable reminder of China's first emperor and the power of his empire. Nearby, the Muslim Quarter is filled with narrow streets, small shops, and the smell of grilled lamb and fresh bread. It's the kind of place where history and daily life still blend naturally.

Fly to Jiayuguan, where the Great Wall meets the desert. The fortress marks the edge of ancient China and once guarded caravans traveling west. The wide-open landscape and dry air make this one of the most atmospheric stops along the route.

In Dunhuang, the Mogao Grottoes reveal centuries of Buddhist art painted on cave walls. Each mural tells part of the story of how culture traveled along the Silk Road. Outside the town, the Crescent Lake lies at the foot of the Singing Sand Dunes, a stretch of desert that glows golden at sunset and hums softly when the wind moves the sand.

The journey continues to Turpan, an oasis known for grapes, ancient ruins, and extreme landscapes. The Flaming Mountain lives up to its name with red cliffs that seem to burn under the afternoon sun. Visit the ruins of Jiaohe, once a thriving city on a plateau between two rivers, now silent but still impressive.

Gaochang Ruins, Turpan

End the trip in Kashgar, a crossroads of Central Asian and Chinese culture. The Id Kah Mosque stands at the heart of the old town, and the Sunday Bazaar brings the Silk Road to life again with traders, spices, textiles, and handwoven carpets. The mix of sounds, colors, and faces makes this city an unforgettable finish to the journey.

Start Your 12 Days Tour With Odynovo

If you're planning a trip of a different length, no problem! We offer customized tours from one week to two weeks or more. Simply email [email protected], and we'll take care of the rest.