Where's the best place to take friends who are only visiting China for a week?
I'd like to take them out of Shanghai for a couple of days but I don't know China well enough to know what will send them off with a good impression.
Some place that's not over the top touristy would be ideal.

any thoughts??

Depends a bit on your budget. Is the place supposed to be within driving distance of Shanghai or is anywhere in China fair game?

Near Shanghai: No place outside Shanghai that is not touristy exists. Huangshan is nice, but Suzhou and Zhujiazhao are better.

Outside Shanghai: Beijing is still a really good spot with a lot of interesting places to visit.