China Essentials: 12 Days · 12 days
If you are only visiting China once, do Beijing, Xi'an, Dunhuang and Shanghai in one go.
China Essentials: 12 Days is a private tailor-made route in Beijing · Xi'an · Shanghai · Dunhuang, running 12 days, best from Apr–May, Sep–Oct. China Custom Tours (chinacustomtours.hk) arranges a dedicated vehicle and a Cantonese- or Mandarin-speaking guide; the vehicle serves your party only and there are no shopping stops.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Best season
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Region
- Beijing · Xi'an · Shanghai · Dunhuang
- Group size
- 4–12, private
- Shopping stops
- None
- Arrival cities
- Any Chinese city with an airport
China Essentials: 12 Days private tour
Built for a first visit that covers the most representative places: Beijing for the imperial centre, Xi'an for Qin and Han, Dunhuang for the Silk Road and Buddhist transmission, Shanghai for modern China. Linked by rail and short domestic flights, 12 days without rushing.
| Duration | 12 days |
|---|---|
| Best season | Apr–May, Sep–Oct |
| Region | Beijing · Xi'an · Shanghai · Dunhuang |
| Suits | Families, elderly parents, first visits |
| Shopping stops | None |
Last updated 2026-10-13 · maintained by the China Custom Tours editorial desk
How this route runs.
Beijing
Beijing → Xi'an by rail
Xi'an
Xi'an → Dunhuang
Dunhuang
Dunhuang → Shanghai
Departure
The full day-by-day detail, including stops, driving times and hotel options, is sent with your personalised itinerary.
What you see along the way.
Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, hutongs.
Terracotta Army, Ming city wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Muslim Quarter.
Mogao Caves, Crescent Lake, Yumen Pass.
The Bund, Yu Garden, Lujiazui, the former French Concession.
Itemised, with nothing hidden.
Included
- Private vehicle and driver throughout
- Licensed guide (Cantonese or Mandarin)
- 11 nights hotel accommodation
- All admission tickets and bookings (including timed Mogao Caves tickets)
- Beijing–Xi'an high-speed rail and Xi'an–Dunhuang / Dunhuang–Shanghai flights
- Fuel, tolls and driver/guide expenses
Not included
- International flights (bookable on request)
- Meals and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Questions about China Essentials: 12 Days.
Is 12 days too long?
No. Each city gets two to four days with travel days in between. If you only have eight days, drop Dunhuang or Shanghai.
How is the domestic transport arranged?
Beijing to Xi'an by high-speed rail (4.5 hours), Xi'an to Dunhuang and Dunhuang to Shanghai by air (2 and 4 hours). We book all of it.
Can I swap in the Grand Loop?
Yes. Replace the three Dunhuang days with the full eight-day Qinghai–Gansu Grand Loop for a 16-day trip, or drop Beijing and Shanghai for a Qinghai–Gansu deep dive.
You may also like these.
ClassicBeijing, the Great Wall & the Forbidden City
Everyone visits Beijing. The difference is whether you queue at Badaling or walk a quiet stretch at Mutianyu.
HistoryXi'an, Terracotta Army & the Silk Road
Capital of thirteen dynasties and the eastern start of the Silk Road. The Terracotta Army deserves half a day, not two hours.
CitiesShanghai & the Jiangnan Water Towns
Shanghai for the city, Wuzhen for the water town, Suzhou for the gardens, Hangzhou for the lake. Four Jiangnans in six days.
Rebuild this route around your dates.
Send us your dates and group size — a draft itinerary and a clear price within one working day.