1

When are you travelling? Which month?
What are your interests? History? Big Cities? Countryside?

If 2 weeks, seeing three places is feasible. Beijing (4-5 days) has the most to see, followed by Hong Kong (2-3 days) and Shanghai (1-2 days).

Given a choice, I'd probably do Beijing, fly to Guilin, and spend a few nights in Yanghsuo, then fly / bus / train to Shenzhen and cross the border to Hong Kong. That way you see the old (Beijing), the countryside (Yangshuo) and the newish city (Hong Kong).

Guidebooks - LP is fine, but maybe just take the chapters of the places you will be visiting.

2

Thanks for your insight! We'll be going from the end of may until the beginning of june. As for interests, I'm actually keen on history, big cities and countryside! I know that Shanghai is a must on our list because we have some family history there that is of particular interest to my brother. I'll definitely look into the places you mentioned though!

3

I would spend less time in Beijing than anywhere else. It's unattractive, overly polluted, and rather unpleasant.

4

It's going to be tough if you remain keen on everything and only have two weeks.

Too bad you can't just skip Shanghai because of your family ties. I would cross it off the list in a heartbeat. Beijing will give you enough history and is worth braving its filthy air for first timers.

After Beijing, do as @drumbrake suggested.

5

Forget Hong Kong, its expensive and another big city, Shanghai and Beijing will be overload on crowded cities. DrumBrake suggestion is what I would consider. Shanghai is a fun city, I lived there for 4 months and loved it.

6

About three years ago, I spent about 10 days in the Shanghai general area, but the bulk of that time was in Hangzhou, Suzhou, and the canal towns around there. you could do Beijing first and then a loop around some Shanghai cities and towns, all within 150 km of each other.

although most wouldnt do this, i had a good time at a five star hotel at a discounted rate in Pudong. i think it was Eton Hotel. you could splirge there for not too much money

7

If you have to see Shanghai, then I'd do Beijng, Guilin/ Yangshuo, Shanghai. Get two internal flights.

8

How about Xi'an? A city has longer history than BJ does. Besides Terra-Cotta Warrior, I quite like Shanxi Museum, there's so much to see inside that museum,

9

I've lived in China for the past 4 years and have traveled all over this country.

I wouldn't bother with Shanghai if I were you. It's very boring, and there's not much to do. You could easily see everything there is to see there in just one day: The Yuyuan gardens, the museum, Nanjing Road, and the Bund at night.

My advice to you would be to go to Bejing, Xi'an (Terracotta Army e.t.c), one night in Shanghai (if you insist, and just so you can say you've been there), Hangzhou (The West Lake), Huangshan, I.e, The Yellow Mountains (The most attractive and impressive mountain range in China), Guilin (The River Li, and Yangshou), and also Hong Kong (Not sure what the above poster is on about. Hong Kong is a great city with loads to see and do. And you can stay there for a pittance if you stay in Chungking Mansions in Kowloon).
And if you have time then visit Chengdu (The Panda reserve, lot's of temples, museums, e.t.c.).

This trip would allow you to see most of the finest sights in China and will also take you on a rough trajectory of North-South, so you could fly in to Beijing, and fly out from Hong Kong.