Traveling in China requires a visa. The duration depends upon current regulations and also upon your own country's regulation for citizens visiting China. Foreigners requesting to visit Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Xiamen Special Economic Zones may apply directly to visa authorities in these zones for tourist visas to special economic zones. Foreign tourist groups from Hong Kong for a 72-hour visit to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone are exempt from entry visas. Tourist visas are usually good for two months, but can be extended for an extra month at the Foreigners Section of the Public Security Bureau. Passports must be valid for at least six months before you travel to China. 
 

There are seven types of visas, as follows:

       L Travel (luxing)
       F Business (fangwen)
       D Resident (dingju)
       G Transit (guojing)
       X Student (liuxue)
       Z Working (renzhi)
       C Stewardess (chengwu)

For most travelers, the type of visa is "L", from the Chinese word for travel (luxing). This letter is
stamped right on the visa.

Application

When applying for a visa, foreigners are required to answer certain questions and go through the
 following formalities:

• Providing a valid passport or any document in place of a passport; 
• Filling in a visa application form and handing in up-to-date passport photos; 
• Submitting documents needed for visa application and documents which explain one's reasons for entering China.

Visa Extension

A foreign tourist may travel in China within the approved period of time. If he wishes to continue traveling in China after the approved time of his stay expires, he should apply to the local public security office for the extension of his stay. After he has finished his travel in China, he should fill in an exit document before his visa expires and submit his documents to the frontier inspection station in a port opened to foreigners; he is allowed to leave the country only after his document is stamped with an approval seal. Visa extensions are handled by the Foreign Affairs Branch of the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) the police force. Extensions can cost nothing for some, but Y 110 for most nationalities.

The situation with visa extensions seems to change frequently. Extensions of 15 days to one month seem fairly easy to get if you entered China with a 30 day visa.

 At an agreeable PSB you may be able to manage a bit more, especially with cogent reasons like illness (except for AIDS) or transport delays, but don't count on it. Second extensions are rarely granted.  The penalty of overstaying. your visa in China is at least Y300 per day!

Business, work, or student visa

In addition to the above mentioned documents, the followings are required for business, work or student visas:

• For business visa, long term work visa and multiple visa: An invitation letter/telegram from the Chinese Government or Government authorized Chinese company. 
• For student visa: An application form for international students ( JW202) issued by the State Education Commission of China and a notification of admission from the receiving college with the seal of the Commission. 
• For Government officials and members of missions traveling to China for official business or accreditation: An official note from the government or the mission. 
• For students and those on business whose stay in China exceed months: A notarized health   certificate.