My itinerary is a bit rough atm - I'm still undecided about whether Xi'an is worth the time/cost (Terracotta Army being my main attraction). I want to plan excursions, using Beijing as my base to avoid moving around too much. Not sure how feasible this is.

Fri 30th August LHR to Shanghai arrive 31st
1 - Shanghai
2 - Shanghai
3 - Shanghai
4 - Internal flight to Xi'an
5 - Xi'an
6 - Internal flight to Beijing
7 - Beijing
8 - Beijing
9 - Beijing
10 - Beijing
11 - Beijing
12 - Beijing
13 - September Leaves Beijing

interests are: history, natural scenery and villages/old towns. Am open to travelling by train but preferably day as what I have read/viewed with regards night trains they seem quite uncomfortable. Please correct me if I am wrong. Any advice is gratefully appreciated.

Was slightly concerned after reading that you need to list all your accommodation whist in the country. Means you have to concrete your plans quite early on.

1) You have to list plans, but they don't verify so you can change them.
2) You have enough time in Shanghai, but given how much time in Beijing I'd add another day to Xi'an. there's more than the warriors (I think there's a thread titled that).
3) You have ample time in Beijing. You can certainly use those days to your advantage, but with that much time you *might* consider adding another city, or spending 3 full days in Xi'an, allowing for the city one day, warriors one day, and another excursion from the city on a third day.

Thanks Drewguy.

Decided to put this trip on hold to next year. Was all a bit of a rush.

Don't worry about the visa just yet, work on the itinerary. You can always create a fantasy itinerary and bookings for the visa application, then cancel everything after getting the visa and do something different. Nobody checks actual movements in China against visa application itinerary.

I think too much time in Shanghai which doesn't have all that much to offer the visitor, keep Xi'an in the mix, too much time in Beijing. I'd add in the following which are naturals to your general route: Luoyang, Huashan. For now we'll avoid overnight trains though you might be pleasantly surprised. As follows (overnights in parentheses):

Fri 30th August LHR to Shanghai arrive 31st (Shanghai)
Sept 1 - Shanghai (Sh)
2 - daytrip by bullet train to Suzhou and Tongli water town. Get an early start and return to Shanghai early evening. (Sh)
3 - Shanghai city during day then evening flight MU 5527 SHA-LYA Luoyang arriving 21:00. This flight is now available cheap, RMB 590 all-in booked online yourself. (Luoyang, try for the Christian Hotel).
4 - Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple. Afternoon bullet train Luoyang Longmen to Xian North Station. Go for the G659 departing 16:04 arriving Xi'an 17:35 which will give you some evening time for dinner and getting to the night fountain show at the Big Goose Pavilion. G659 ticket 1st class seat RMB 280, 2nd class RMB 175. (Xi'an)
5 - Xi'an. Definitely has more than the Warriors (Xi'an)
6 - Daytrip to Mount Huashan, 30 minutes by bullet train from Xi'an. Get an early start and back to Xi'an in the evening. A lot of hiking/stair climbing but there are cable cars for part of it. 2nd class seat fine for this short journey, RMB 55 each way. (Xi'an)
7 - Xi'an part of day. Afternoon bullet train Xian North to Beijing West. The G666 is a decent option dep Xian North 16:03 arr BJ West 21:32. Or you could go somewhat earlier or slightly later. 1st class RMB 825, 2nd class RMB 516. This is one segment I wouldn't fly. But you might consider an overnight Z or T train which is quite decent in soft sleeper (RMB 416).
8 - Beijing
9 - Beijing
10 - Beijing
11 - Beijing
12 - Beijing
13 - Leave Beijing

One daytrip out of Beijing you could do is to Cuandixia which is a pretty well preserved Ming Village about 2.5 hours west of the central city, takes about 2/3 of a day. There is of course the Great Wall which with your time, you could devote a day and go to a less-touristed "wilder" part (though for safety I wouldn't go too wild unless with a small group, there are some you can join in). I wouldn't devote more than 5 full days to Beijing though.

If you decide to forego Xi'an on this trip, then I would amend the itinerary and do Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, water town, Huangshan and Yixian Villages, then up to Beijing which would be same time frame. Ground transport between cities except (night) flight Huangshan to Beijing.

Thanks for that.

Uhhhhh, I might reconsider how many days you want to spend in BJ. Jiejie's advice for the smaller cities will cater to your interests much more than SH/BJ will.

Trains generally are fine, although plane can often be cheaper (but less reliable).

OK. You know where to find us when you're ready. If you can, do your best to get closer to 3 weeks' holiday instead of 2 since that extra little bit of time makes options broader and logistics easier. If China remains the interest, try to place your holiday within the following time ranges: April 1 to June 15, September 1 to 27. October 15 to November 15. This will get you the optimum balance of weather (not too cold, not too hot or rainy) and manageable crowds vs being crushed.

I really appreciate your detailed reply, I feel bad that I'd then decided not to go. But thanks for that. Will plan it better next time - well try. I tend to book my trips last minute.

Looking at Bali now..

We included Guilin and loved the city, rafting down the Li river, stayed at small town at end of river trip and saw the show similar to opening ceremony at. Chinese Olympics, beautiful scenery and interesting cities. also from Guilin went to rice terraces in the mountains and stayed at hot springs hotel

Only were in Beijing for 3 days but did enjoy the forbidden city, great wall and just going around the city