A valid passport and visa is required to enter China and must be obtained from Chinese Embassies and Consulates, stationed in the respective countries, before traveling to China. Applicants should fill in one visa application form appropriately with one recent passport size photograph. Applicant's passport must be valid for at least 6 months and two blank visa pages are required.
There are eight categories of ordinary Chinese visas, which are respectively marked with the letters C, D, F, G, J-1, L, X and Z. The most popular type of visa, an L visa, is also known as a tourist visa. It is issued to those who visit China for tourist purpose, family visit or other personal matters. The G visa is issued to those who transit through China. The most notable exception to this rule is transit through certain airports. Most airports allow a 12-hour stay without a visa so long as you do not leave the airport, but Shanghai Pu Dong International and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airports permit a forty-eight hour stay without a visa.
Getting a tourist visa is fairly easy for most passports as you don't need an invitation, which is required for business or working visas. The usual tourist single-entry visa is valid for a visit of 30 days and must be used within three months of the date of issue. A double-entry tourist visa must be used within six months of the date of issue. It is possible to secure a tourist visa for up to 90 days for citizens of some countries.
Persons transiting China on the way to and from Mongolia or North Korea, or who plan to re-enter from Hong Kong or Macau needs to obtain a double or multiple entry visa to gain re-entry to the mainland. Special permits are required to visit Tibet as well as many remote areas not normally open to foreigners. Every foreigner going to Tibet needs to get a travel permit which can be done through local travel agents. Most areas in Tibet are not open for foreigners except Lhasa City and part of Shan Nan.
You are required to register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Chinese authorities are now actively enforcing this requirement. If you are staying in a hotel, registration is done on your behalf as part of the check-in process.
Hong Kong and Macau have a separate and independent immigration system from that of mainland China. This means that unlike mainland China, tourists from most countries can enter Hong Kong and Macau without a visa, but on a Landing Card or a travel Entry Permit, for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. However, this also means that a separate visa is still required to enter mainland China from Hong Kong or Macau.
There may be restrictions on visas for political reasons and these vary over time. Check with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country of residence for the latest status.
