Please find your answers from the official website: www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/default.htm

If you don't believe in what's posted on there, nothing will help.

This is 2008 year of the Olympics. They changed the rules, often. They will likely change them again soon. You need air ticket and confirmed hotel reservation, as of today. You have those, you get the visa. Simple as that. Forum is full of lengthy threads on it.

If you want your pseudo relatives to go through the hoops to prepare the invitation letter and what not, that's your choice. If you want a multiple-entry business visa, maybe that's what you have to do.

Application must be done in person or through agents(person or company), as stipulated on the official website.

I have used a visa service to get a visa for my daughter and there is a lot of up to date information on their website (whether you use their services or not): http://www.us.cibt.com/

Enter the site as a guest and enter your trip information and they will spit out an application with guidelines

I believe that it's easier to get a tourist visa if you have hotels booked instead of visiting relatives as the relatives must write a letter. They are asking for flight info and hotel info now. The CIBT site does indicate that previous visa holders are more likely to be approved.

Thanks. That site did help quite a bit. Daunting, indeed.

Would it be easier to do this in Hong Kong? I'll likely be there for an extended period (at least two weeks) beforehand and could do some consulate workings. Or maybe Singapore?

I didn't even think about the hotel situation. No, I would have to get a letter of intent. I'd also have to get one for girlfriend, who I was hoping to bring in.

I may have to wait a few more years until China gets over itself and starts actually wanting tourism again. The whole process seems a little ridiculous, especially considering how easy it is to get into the other countries on my list. I wouldn't be too crushed, actually: I'm more looking forward to visiting Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia on this trip.

Thanks for the advice and patience with the redundant questions (I couldn't find anything recent since TA's forum search is such garbage). I do appreciate it.

Currently easy but expensive for US passport holders to get in Hong Kong with or without hotel reservations through agents such as www.fbt-chinavisa.com.hk/