Thanks for the feedback, team - as of now, I have the following plan:

• 4 nights in Shenzhen
• 4 nights in Guangzhou
• 3 nights in Chongqing
• 2 nights in Chengdu
• 3 nights in Wuhan
• 4 nights in Beijing
• 1 night in Suzhou (really going for the Park Hyatt)
• 4 nights in Shanghai (all hotels I haven't tried yet)

I'll do HSR between Shenzhen and Guangzhou and between Chongqing and Chengdu but will likely fly Guangzhou to Chongqing, Chengdu to Wuhan, Wuhan to Beijing, and Beijing to either Wuxi or Hongqiao for Suzhou.