You might find some ideas about interesting places in northern China in my very long trip report - just click on my name and then on the report. Hope it helps!

thanks kja, I'll definatelly check them!

This is info from my sis in China who has been to and recommends -- By train you can reach several nice towns not far from Qingdao in the province of Shandong: Confucius' birthplace in Qufu; Weihai and the mystical Penglai Island; and the cloud-shrouded Mt. Tai. Near Beijing and Shanghai, there is enough to appeal to you to fill a month!

Thanks Shanghainese for your ideas!
I 'll check also Weihai and Penglai - hadn't spotted them among the usual recommendations over the internet yet!
I hope to have time to reach souther than Shanghai, too.
all these 'water towns' seem very interesting!

The watertowns are each about less than an hour's train or bus from Shanghai, you don't need to go to all of them, "seen one seen all". I prefer Tongli, be sure to take the small boat ride on the canals, feels a bit like a mini oriental Venice.

many thanks!
If you could comment, is it a good idea to stay a couple of nights more in Suzhou as a base to visit a few water towns?
or even sleeping in a water town seems interesting.
I'm aiming to avoid for a couple of days the mess of getting in and out of a big city like Shanghai
all the best!
Nikos

It is very easy to get in/out of Shanghai, the metro, bus and train systems are excellent in addition to inexpensive lodgings.

I suggest you get up early and do Suzhou in the morning and Tongli in the afternoon. If you yearn to see more watertowns, there are smaller ones in the suburbs of Shanghai you can do 1/2 day trips such as Zhujiajiao, or larger ones you can get to from Hangzhou.

If you don't mind the airfare, a week each in Shangdong, Beijing, Shanghai and Yunan is something to think about,, check out some of the 4-week trip reports here.