Hi Mar
I'm on the trip and it's also my first alone. Just organising my photo for the visa etc. I signed on to place a message to find fellow travellers and find you have beaten me to it :-)
Thought it would be good to say hello to a few people before that dreaded moment of confusion at the airport.
I've never done a trip like this before so can't answer your questions but if anyone else joins the discussion I have one of my own, whether anyone has any thoughts on how much money to take with them, whether there are limits in China and in what form / currency.
Regards
Kevin