My wife and I (57, 63) are going to China for the first time in late May, 2013. We are taking a Gate 1 Discovery Tour for 14 nights which ends up with two nights in Shanghai. We always like to stay another 3-5 nights before returning to the US, so we would like suggestions for what to do for the 5 nights before leaving PVG for LAX late morning.
We usually like to spend the last two days at a very nice hotel not far from the airport so that we don't have to travel far before the flight. I have a lot of SPG, Marriott and Hyatt points so I wouldn't mind using them. We would be open to taking a 2-3 hour train trip to get to wherever is suggested. I would rather not have to fly.
We like gardens, seaside resorts or beautiful landscapes (I take a lot of pictures). We also like to discover small cities. Thanks.

Consider Hangzhou. It's an easy train ride from Shanghai.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangzhou

It'll help if you list the last part of your tour do we know where you'll have visited in the area before the end of tour. But anyhow it makes little sense to stay close to PVG, especially since flights to the US don't usually depart too early in the morning.

Visit a nearby watertown if it's not in the Gate 1 itinerary already.

Grand Hyatt, Shanghai is a fabulous hotel. We were upgraded to a room overlooking the Bund. Spent the night eating sushi and gawking at the view. It was unforgettable! Probably one of the best hotel stays we have enjoyed. Also visit Zhujiajiao and Suzhou if you have time. The Shanghai museum was unmissable too! Good luck!

Please click on my name and check out the Notes I wrote for 2 months spent in Shanghai this spring and some of my earlier Notes. It'll help if you let us know where Gate 1 takes you for the 2 days with them. I like Hangzhou; for gardens, Suzhou is THE place an hour's train ride away.