FlyerTalk Forums - Cheapest entry point to China from SFO

For the first 2 weeks in April, I'd prefer this trip going south to north though you could also do it the other way around. No matter the direction, plan to fly open jaws for the long hauls--you don't have time to waste backtracking. With only 2 weeks, you will have a very rushed trip trying to do all of the following:
Kunming-Jianshui-Xinjie (Yuanyang)
Lijiang + TLG
Chengdu
Xi'an
Beijing

Shanghai and region definitely does not fit time-wise into two weeks assuming most or all of the above itinerary.

By my calculations, you really need a minimum of 16 days to do this credibly, including a domestic flight or two, and excluding the international fly-in/fly-out days. If Beijing is not a must-do for this trip, then flying into Kunming (connecting via CAN or HKG) makes sense, exiting from Shanghai. If you can pick something else to drop in order to include Beijing, then flying into Kunming via connection and out through PEK makes the most sense--completely skipping the Shanghai region.

Don't put the cart before the horse. I would plan the itinerary you want that makes sense with the time you have, then be flexible enough to work it either one direction or the other. I would let the TPAC's follow the itinerary rather than try to prognosticate what cities will be cheaper to fly to at that time. IME, there isn't that much variation during a specific time period between SFO and the Chinese major gateways (PEK, PVG, CAN, HKG which isn't mainland but useful to consider). What might make more significant difference is if you are willing to fly from LAX for the overwater instead of SFO. Many times I have found fares from SFO to be stubbornly higher than from LAX, and the cost of a canny SFO-LAX connection hop can be small potatoes compared to the TPAC savings. Assuming paid tickets, you'll need to start keeping an eye out for fares/specials and pull the trigger when you fine something you like.

Jet lag is not a problem for most people when heading east to west (USA to Asia). Mostly one is just fatigued. True jet lag is considerably more debilitating when returning back to the USA. The idea of spending part of a very tight 2 weeks going to Hanoi first is just HUH? Especially when you find out that Hanoi is a very pricey destination to get to from the USA, and every connection except via HKG adding to your travel time and fatigue. Just....no. Either get focused or keep the kids out of school longer and extend your time in Asia.