Why we built this route
This is our “classic China, done properly” itinerary: Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai. Twelve days adds the breathing room the shorter version trades away, an easier pace between cities, more time at each highlight, and room for the small things (a quiet hutong morning, a night by the Shanghai Bund) that turn sightseeing into a real trip. Everything private, everything paced for comfort.
12-Day Classic China Private Tour
A balanced China private tour for travellers who want Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie and a short Shanghai finish, but do not have time for a full 15-day journey.
Best For
- First-time visitors who want the classic four-stop route
- Travellers who want a shorter alternative to the 15-day itinerary
- Couples and private groups with limited vacation time
- Guests who want Shanghai included but can accept a tighter pace
Suggested Route
- Arrive in Beijing
- Forbidden City and old Beijing neighborhoods
- Great Wall private day trip
- Beijing to Xi’an
- Terracotta Warriors and Xi’an highlights
- Xi’an to Zhangjiajie
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Tianmen Mountain
- Optional Glass Bridge or flexible Zhangjiajie day
- Zhangjiajie to Shanghai
- Shanghai city highlights
- Departure from Shanghai
Why Choose 12 Days?
Twelve days is the shorter version of the classic Beijing – Xi’an – Zhangjiajie – Shanghai route. It is more compact than 15 days, but still realistic if transfers are planned carefully.
Request a Custom Version of This Tour
Getting between cities – we handle all of it
China is big, and the long-distance legs are the part travellers worry about most. You never have to book a Chinese train or domestic flight yourself, or work out which station is which. We buy every ticket, time it to your sightseeing, and your guide hands you off at one end while the next guide meets you at the other.
- Your cities are linked by high-speed train or domestic flight – we choose whichever gives you the best timing and the shortest travel day, and we book it for you.
- Every ticket is bought, timed to your sightseeing, and re-confirmed by us. You just show your passport at the gate – no Chinese booking apps, no station guesswork.
- Guide-to-guide handover: your guide sees you onto the train or plane, and the next city’s guide is already waiting when you arrive.
What our guests say
Real guests, real words – translated from their original Chinese and Cantonese reviews. We never invent a review.
“We experienced Zhangjiajie in drizzle, mist and sunshine – and loved every minute. Special thanks to our guide A-Jing: professional, attentive, and he timed everything so well that whenever we were tired, he had already built in a rest stop. We will absolutely be telling our friends to visit.”
“An absolute joy – excellent value, and the guide service was thoughtful at every turn. Even the shuttle to the high-speed rail station was already included, so we never once needed a taxi. No surprises, no hidden costs.”
“Shiny looked after us so thoughtfully – everything perfectly arranged, and the commentary at every stop detailed and heartfelt. Our driver was first-rate too: steady, precise, always putting safety first. I will recommend them to my friends without hesitation.”
🔒 Only a 10-20% deposit (of your trip cost) to book – you pay the balance after you arrive in China and sign your formal tour contract. Your deposit is fully secured and you receive a written receipt for every payment. Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
Make it unforgettable – optional add-ons
Your private trip is yours to shape. Tell us when you enquire and we fold any of these into your itinerary and quote – no pressure, no fixed packages.
- Cultural experiences from $80 per person – Tujia home cooking, Miao embroidery, or a mountain-teahouse tea ceremony.
- Travel photography – a professional Hanfu & Miao ethnic-costume photoshoot among the peaks.
- Slow it down – extra rest days, a private sunrise viewpoint, or a quiet local village most tours never reach.
Add Travel Photography & Local Culture to Any Tour
Every private China tour can include a few local experience stops and photography-friendly timing — at no extra tour cost. Tell us what interests you, and we adjust the pace and route.
📷 Travel Photography Moments
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — best viewpoint timing for golden-hour shots
- Tianmen Mountain — cliff walk and Heaven’s Gate wide-angle frames
- Fenghuang Ancient Town — riverside evening portraits with lantern reflections
- Great Wall at Mutianyu — less crowded, better photo angles
- Your guide can pause for photos, suggest angles, and avoid rushed group-tour timing
Photos above on this page are real guest moments from recent private tours. Your guide helps capture yours.
🎮 Local Culture & Food Experiences
- Tujia home-cooking experience — learn to cook Xiangxi-style dishes with a local family near Zhangjiajie
- Miao embroidery workshop — try traditional Miao textile art in Fenghuang or a nearby village
- Tea tasting in a mountain teahouse — taste Wuling Mountain teas away from souvenir shops
- Local market walk + cooking class — shop for ingredients, then cook together
- Riverside evening in Fenghuang — lantern-lit walk, Miao costume photos, street food
All culture stops are optional, private, and paced around your group. No forced shopping. No bus groups.
What’s Usually Included
- A complimentary cinematic drone aerial video of your trip among the Avatar peaks
- Private itinerary planning and route adjustment
- English-speaking local guide service on arranged sightseeing days
- Private vehicle transfers where listed in the final proposal
- Hotel suggestions or booking support if included in your package
- Local coordination support during the tour
What’s Usually Not Included
- International flights
- China visa fees and travel insurance
- Personal expenses, optional activities and tips
- Meals, hotels or tickets not listed as included
Price Notes
Tour FAQ
Can this tour be customized?
Yes. The route, pace, hotels, guide coverage and special interests can be adjusted.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, this page is designed for private China tour planning, not a fixed group tour.
How do I get the final price?
Send your travel month, group size, hotel preference and must-see places through the inquiry form.