Originally Posted by
jrkmsp
Any departure time on 3/22 or 3/23. Destination of (for these purposes) HKG (preferred) or PVG or PEK. Eventually I'll have to get to another city in China, but there are connections from all three cities. So, in essence, right now I'm just looking for MSP-NRT-HKG/PVG/PEG. When I book, I'll probably add a stopover and book the onward flight on the same itinerary a day or so later.
I don't think you want to buy a ticket and then add flights later. This could be very expensive and also limit your options to coordinate all flights. HKG doesn't work very well for flights to smaller cities in mainland China. I use PVG for connections (and take a few extra days there), but with DL, you will have an overnight connection somewhere in China on each direction IME.
If you're determined to go through HKG, is it reasonable to get to the small city in southern China by land? Good hotels (or any business connections) can arrange car service, and do regularly as far as CAN. There are also buses (including directly from HKG airport), boats/hydrofoils/ferries, and trains.
It might help to know the identity of the small city in southern China to get help here.