I will be sending two weeks in China soon, and want to make the most of my trip. I have a travel partner, and we are into history and culture, but also relaxing (in a park or at a beach), as well as enjoying great food and wine. We are in our early 30s.

Any advice/tips on Must Sees is greatly appreciated!

Rough Itinerary:

July 7 - 14 Xiamen (I will spend a week here, working Monday through Friday, so I will be busy, but still want to know what spots to hit!)

July 14 - 17 Shanghai

July 18 - 22 Beijing

I am also interested in smaller cities of interest, while working my way North. Train travel suggestions are appreciated as well.

looking forward to your advice and comments!

Since you're in Xiamen anyways, should go visit the Tulou in Fujian. They are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

I visited only the north of China - perhaps you will find information in my trip report

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-riviera.cfm?9

Would definitely second rkkwan's advice regarding the hakkas/tulous near Xiamen (Yongding County to be precise). Two days/one night is good to see a few of them and overnighting in one is an experience.

On your way up to Shanghai, if you have the time, you could stop off at Wuyuan and head out to the vilages there and do some walking betwen them and some homestays. Wuyuan itself is not exciting whatsoever but the countryside surrounding it is beautiful.

pgriffin: Have you been to Wuyuan? What villages would you recommend to visit? Any other areas in the countryside --terraced fields, lakes, mountains, temples, etc.?

Oops! wrong link - sorry about that! The correct one is:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...na-amazing.cfm

Shanghainese - yes I have. I went to Little Likeng, Lingjao and Guangkeng (spelling is probably wrong). I hiked from Lingjao to Guangkeng and it was just gorgeous. Perfection.

pgriffin - We'll put in on our calendar, perhaps next year. Did you do a TR or blog? Thanks.

Afraid not, sorry. Let me put together a few thoughts and come back to you soon.

Acient towns around shanghai: Zhouzhuang, Wuzhen, and Xitang.
Tourisis cities around shanghai: Hangzhou and Suzhou and Nanjing.

Visit Wuyi Mountains in Fujian. Variety of biodiversity, flora and fauna. A raft trip down the Nine-bend River followed by a visit to 'Thread of Sky' caves. Or maybe Chengde in Hubei when you do a trip northwards. It is a mountain resort with scenic spots or pagoda.

Masda, Chengde is a small city north of Beijing, formerly the summer resort town of emperors and in located in northern Hebei Province. Is that the place you mean? Hubei is not Hebei.

Lots of to see in China

Beijiing:
Great Wall
Forbidden Ciy
Summer Palace
Temple of Heaven

Shanghai:
The Bund
Yu Garden
Zhouzhuang Water Town

Suzhou:
Humble Administrator's Garden
Master of the Nets Garden
Lingering Garden
Tongli Old Town
Grand Canal
Tiger Hill

Hangzhou:
West Lake
Liuhe Pogoda
Meijiawu Tea Village

Huangshan:
The Yellow Mountain
Hongcun Village
Xidi Village
Qiyun Mountain

Other than Xiamen you only have a week left. Barely enough for Beijing and Shanghai. I would not try to do more places.