regarding #4, just get a taxi: insist on using the meter and (ideally) know where your going ahead of time. if problems arise, ask the hotel bellman to help sort things out. the fare from the airport to the st regis // penn shouldn't be much more than y100. the airport is really easy to navigate --> your "get met at the plane" idea is unnecessary and would likely slow you down.

as for #8, i know a few cabbies that have taken many friends and fters to the great wall and beyond. to be honest, any cab will take you there, but my guys are good because we've been handing them business for years. expect to pay around y400 for a day-trip (4-6 hours) to simatai or huanghua in a citroen (those are the 1.6/km cabs, usually red). the driver won't bother while you're there, but it's a good idea to buy him lunch (very cheap). feel free to email me any time.