Hi this will be my first trip to China. I've always wanted to go and also was dreaming of staying at the Aman hotels... and now I believe I will be able to do both.

After doing some research and finding out about very different climates in
Beijing and Hangzhou, where Aman Chinese properties are, I thought that end of May would be the best time to go - please advise me if you have strong suggestions otherwise.

Also, I am planning on staying 3 nights in each hotel, but will have
another 3 nights in the middle and wanted to get some ideas on what else to see that would be not completely out of the way in the vast geography of China.

I am also very much interested in art and understand that Beijing has a
thriving art scene. If anyone can please recommend a guide (an art expert) who that can assist, I would be very grateful. In doing some preliminary research, it seems like there are many forgeries and it is difficult to find
independent credible advice on both antique and modern art.

I plan on reading many history and guide books
between now and next May on history of China, but given limited time
there I would like the convenience of someone guiding me. While there
are two tours included in the package (Summer Palace and Forbidden City in Beijing and Longjing Tea Village and Ligyin Temple in Hangzhou) I would like some suggestions on additional tours.

I did read through this board and am aware of the strong suggesiton on exploring Beijing independently, but given the time constraint would very much prefer to do this with an expert guide.

Many thanks

I think you will need longer than 3 nights in Beijing. This organization might be able to help you find a specialty expert guide suitable for your specific interests. Contact 2-3 months in advance.
http://www.chinaculturecenter.org/

May is good weather time most everywhere in China. There is a national holiday May 1-3, and many people choose to extend this period and travel around. If your timing is after May 8, no need to worry.

Might be worth putting a couple of days/nights in Xi'an between HGH and Beijing. Use flights. Quite a bit beyond the Warriors to see there. Research and see. IMO, I think 3 nights in Hangzhou, even at an Aman, might be 1 night too many.

Might be worth putting a couple of days/nights in Xi'an between HGH and Beijing. Use flights. Quite a bit beyond the Warriors to see there. Research and see. IMO, I think 3 nights in Hangzhou, even at an Aman, might be 1 night too many.[/QUOTE]

Thank for your responce! CCC website does look interesting, will reach out to them for further inquiry. I am planning on going at the end of May (leaving the 27th), actually just finished making the booking. If not Hanzhou then I guess I have 4 nights to spare... any other suggestions other than Xi'an?

Thanks!

Well, it's kind of an obvious suggestion, but I'm sure a couple of days and nights in Shanghai could keep you interested, if you haven't been there before. If you are interested in more recent history of China (last 100 years), I think a couple of days in Nanjing would be rewarding, and it's a pretty decent city, as big Chinese cities go. Suzhou is between Shanghai and Nanjing, and is important for traditional landcape/gardens and high-quality textile arts such as silk and double-sided embroidery. Any of these could be worked into an itinerary that already has Hangzhou and Beijing on it. Just don't try to cram too much in.
With only a total of 9 nights, you'll want to keep to locations that have excellent, plentiful, and fast transport connections.

I think first settle on how much Beijing time you need--especially if you want to add some exploration of the ancient and/or contemporary art scene (of which Beijing is indeed the center of gravity for China) on top of the regular "biggie" tourist sites. I again reiterate, 3 nights in BJ likely won't be enough. To maximize efficiencies and avoid backtracking, I would fly in/out internationally at different Chinese cities if you can.

I'll be arriving in Shanhai at 11pm and will be staying there for 2 nights...

I'd like to do mostly tourist things and was wondering what hotel would be most convenient? I am trying to pick between Peninsula (which just seems an amazing hotel and I can get very good rates there) and Le Royal Meredian... suggestions?