If you don't know how to speak AND read Chinese, you're going to have difficulties exploring by yourself. It's doable, but troublesome.

I found organized tours to be a waste of time, though they are simple to get on. Every English and Chinese tour I did last Spring took me around to Jade factories and other places where you basically are just there to buy things in between the real sites. Some people like it, I didn't. I especially didn't like that many of these stops were NOT on the itinerary.
If you're willing to spend the money, hire a University student as a translator (or any translator) and a car to take you around. Yes, this will be more expensive than the tours (maybe), but you'll spend less time doing things you aren't interested in. Also, if you get a good student translator they'll bargain for you and you'll get a much better price on things. They can also explain what it is you're eating.

PM me if you have more questions.