I will be in China for six weeks this September and October and would like some help in planning my trip. Most of the time i will be working but I hope to fit in some sightseeing. Is it easy enough to organise a car and driver as I go or do I need to organise in advance? To avoid excess baggage costs I will take only limited clothes, how expensive is laundry? Also how much do I need to budget for meals. I want to eat in reasonable though not very high end places.
What things are really worth buying?
Any special advice for a middle aged woman travelling alone?
Thanks

In most cities, you can get a car and driver with little advance. You'll giving them good money, and plenty of drivers will want your business.

Laundry shouldn't be expensive, unless you're getting it done at 5* international hotels.

Food is also pretty cheap unless you eat at the restaurants in 5* hotels, or if you order exotic stuff. If you're in southern China, make sure you ask how much live fish cost before ordering. Otherwise, very roughly, I'd expect a meal to cost half that in the US; more if you're eating McD or KFC.

Where in China are you going?

I will be in Beijing for 11 days then in XiAn, Shanghai, Harbin, Changsha, Kunming and Hong Kong. On my way home I will be spending 5 days in Singapore. Most of the time I will be working though I hope to get odd days here and there to do some sightseeing.

Clothing is cheap so you can always buy them there, bring good walking shoes tho.
Read thru Fodors and books on China and learn simple mandarin before you go will help greatly.