Since I researched my trip to China from the info in this message board I will also like to add my own comments/observations from my own recent experiences.
My husband and I went to Beijing (4 days), Chengdu (2.5days - on the way we stopped at Xian), lijiang (2 days), shangri-la/Diquing (2 days) and Shanghai (4 days).
After reading lots we decided against a tour and to go independently. We booked a few things before (some of the hotels but not all) and left the rest to chance. And we had a great trip.
Here are some comments and obersvations:
1. Travelling in China is easy, in fact, really easy! It completely took us by surprise.
2. Flights: we booked all of our flights on the spot and we did get discounts, sometims up to 40% so we saved some 30% from the quoted fares from catcs and other sites. my only observation will be: in lesser known places u may need to reserve with 4/5 days anticipation as the flights are generally completely booked. Also, in my understading, if you buy 3/4 days before you get a nice discount, if you buy the day before - besides running the risk of not being able to get the flight of your choice - u may get a more expensive ticket.
2. Guides: here was my only dissapointment. Some of the ones contacted in advance failed to appear.... (ie Angela in Beijing). Clarence Guo in xian agreed to a fare by email and then once there, completely ignored what he said (unfortunately I did not have a copy of he email with me). So, a word of caution there.. he is expensive as a driver and as a guide. he wanted to charge us 200 yuan for a 2 hour visit to the terracota warriors, we said no... and I am glad we did because inside the place there are plenty of guides speaking english and charging 50 yuan... But just in case, if you contact this people by email, print a copy of whatever you agree before hand.
Also, guides in Beijing and Shanghai are more expensive than other places.
We did get a guide in Shanghai to do a walking tour... and it was one of the best ideas because he showed us some places we would have never walked on our own and we got a good glimpse of life there. Specially because many of these places will soon disappear.
3. Hotels: hotels in china, even the chinese ones are pretty good. We were some of the first guests at the new Banyan Tree in Ringha: one word, amazing place!! and so peaceful. It has to be one of the best hotels in asia.
4. Food: It was a great experience just walking around discovering places. Food was great. And most times, so cheap and plentiful. It was fun just pointing at the dishes as many of these places had no english menu. We had a great hot pot in Chengdu. So spicy...
5. shopping: I regret not spending more time at the markest in Beijing. It was eary in our trip and I thought I'd get the same or better in other places. Wrong! Beijing had the most variety, it was also the cheapest place. I really recommend the Pearl Market. And the Dirt market has some great things. Markets in Shanghai a bit of a let down. And this 10,15% rule does not necessarily work in many places...I got empty handed in a couple of ocassions, so be patient.
6. Lijiang; so touristy now... but in some of the alleys it is still possible to find the old Lijiang.. so wander around. And at night, it is still magical. We stayed at a nice Chinese hotel here. will try to get the name and post it. Only the manager spoke english but the hotel was pretty good.
7. Tiger Leaping Gorge; the chinese are building a dam, not sure how it will affect it but the dam will be ready by the next year so go there before that happens. The Gorge is amazing.
8. Chengdu: I loved the place. Not just because of the pandas but because it is in the mid point between modernisation and the past. The teahouses here are amazing... we spent a whole afternoon at the People's park many tea houses, looking at the Chinese playing their 'bridge' and having fun. Some of them will also sing spontaneously.
Here we also went to the opera. They have a potpurri of acts, not just opera and it was very enjoyable.
The girls at the agency at the Traffic Hotel were great and so helpful.
9. Money: take cash and make sure you have small notes.
10. English: we had no problems with language. At times it was quite funny as no one speaks english...not even in shanghai (well outside the hotel) but just relax and enjoy it. Somehow you will manage.

I forgot to say that by going on our own we saved ourselves approx 30% vs some quotes from travel agencies. Granted I spent time doing research (fodors and lonely planet) but it was worth it. Also made it more fun.

How far is the Banyan Tree Ringha from Diqing airport? Did you fly there? What did you do there? Thanks.

Hi
sounds like you had a lot of fun! You covered quite a lot of ground in a short space of time.

Very interesting .Miss Saigon did you enjoy Shanghai ? Having been there early this year for 4-5 nights on the way back from Europe I am interested to hear your thoughts .Where did you stay ?I was disappointed with the city , enjoyed some things like the French Quarter / Xintiandi and the old city backstreets but the pollution was incredible .

Thanks for sharing. Interested to know if you could expand on your comment on how touristy Lijiang was/is. We're thinking of going and want to know what to expect. Did you use a guide there that you liked. What did you do while there? How did you get to Tiger Leap Gorge and how long did it take you there and back? Also where did you fly from to reach Diquing? Finally, how $ was Banyantree? Worth it? Sorry so many questions. So little time.

Hi there,
Some answers:
1. I do not have the email exchange with Clarence Guo. But as said, he will not be my first choice if anyone asked me about a guide in Xian.
2.Lijiang is very touristic. Most of the 'houses' in the main streets are all shops. My guess will be that some 60% of Lijiang are houses turned into shops. Having said that the Jade park is fantastic. And if you walk around Lijiang on the side streets, just wandering around, you can still see the old lijiang as some people still live in the city.
We asked our hotel manager to fix us a taxi to go to Diquing (5 hours) with a stop at the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The transfer costed us 500Yuan. It is very easy to get transfer in/out of the tiger leaping gorge. You can go by bus.
The Banyan Tree runs promotions. We pay $300 for a suite. the normal rooms I think are $150.
I hope that helps.

Hi Miss Saigon - I am planning a business trip to Shanghai and Chengdu in early December. I will have a very short time in Chengdu - what do you suggest that I do in a 1-1.5 day tour? Panda's and maybe a trip to the mountains? Do you have a travel service that you recommend? I will probably be at the Marriott. Thanks a bunch! --Laurie

If I may add a comment regarding Lijiang, the reason everything is new there is that the town was just about leveled by an earthquake. It is rebuilt in the old style and is lovely.

The square in old town area is filled with minority villiagers in native dress dancing, visiting, playing cards, etc.

The local market, located across the street from the Shiner Hotel, can not be described as touristy at all. THere is an outdoor butcher tent, fish swimming in wading pools, live poultry, all variety of produce, venders selling hot dim sum, household goods, etc. It is a fascinating glimpse into local life. (We ate breakfast twice from the vendors).

I did not find Lijiang touristy. Sure, the old town area caters to tourists, but in a quaint way. There were no bungee jumping machines, palm readers, temporary tatoo artists or hair braiders.

I loved Lijiang/Dali and cannot wait to return.

LynnieD, we're in Lijiang for almost 3 days (2 nights) at the end of Nov. 1 of those days we want to make an excursion outside the city. Can one make it to Tiger Leaping Gorge and back in one day and still see some of it? What about Shangri-La? Do you know of any guides/drivers you'd recommend? Any other specific reco's? We're staying in the old town at the Zen Garden. Thanks