Here's an update on the itinerary:

Aug 16 arrive PEK (afternoon)

5 nights - trip to the wall, tianjin, some others tbd
Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Aug 21 depart on overnight train to Xian

1 night
Suggestions on hotel?

Aug 23 later morning/early afternoon flight to Shanghai

6 nights shanghai - some daytrips; EXPO

Aug 29 depart morning to guilin

2 nights guilin
Shangri-la Guilin

Aug 31 depart to Shenzen (ferry to hong kong)

3 nights Hong Kong (maybe a day in Macao)

Sep 3 depart back to US (1 day stop in tokyo)

Any thoughts on the itinerary?