Shanghai government is much more progressive, more open minded to outside ideas, and has a history of international co-operation at all levels. You are more likely to get support there.

Shanghai is a diverse city, with rural and urban poor, as well as rich middle class. There are all levels of society. A study in Shanghai may not be exactly what you want to do, but it looks like you are much more likely to be able to do it.

I don't know how much you know about the culture in China, but people do not like to say 'no', on most occasions you will just get no reply. Sound familiar? At least now it sounds like you have found a gatekeeper, or someone who knows one.
IMHO take what is on offer, especially if your timescale is limited. Otherwise you may well end up with nothing.

I am looking around those, but Google Trips seems to be competition for tripadvisor, which is not really what I need.

The beauty of the old Panoramia, is that you could look on Google Earth at an area you will be travelling though, then select the picture icons to see what is in that area.

I am looking for resources for trip planning. Google Earth used to be good for places of interest, using the Panoramia photo database, but Panoramia is no longer supported, and all of the images have gone; waiting to be replaced by new pics.
Some online tourist sites are worse than useless, as you get directed there from a search, but all the site has is hotels, that may actually be 10 km away.

Lonely planet is out of date and, in the digital age, does not seem to be relevant.

Does anyone know of any good sources for identifying places to visit in China.

Yes, in the same way that boiled rice is an alternative to a full banquet.

The 24 hours is if the rules are applied strictly. I have returned on Fridays in the past. The police person who does the registration is off on the weekend and we have never had a problem registering within the week.

One time I forgot to re-register after a trip to HK. I remembered and registered about 2 months later. They were more irritated about having to do the paperwork, than bothered about the late registration. I ended up only paying one day fine.