someone posted the same visa agency in HK numerous times for foreigners to get Chinese visa. Do a search.

That is through an agency that takes at least 4 days, and does not seem all that reliable. I was hoping to go to an embassy in Thailand or Vietnam, where I could get it done in one or two days.

why don't you visit the websites of those embassies? The current rule is basically you must apply for your visa at your home country, or the country you normally domicile.

I believe you need to pay more if you want the agencies in Hong Kong to rush it for you. The same would also apply wherever you're trying.

The fastest is still only 4 days. You should definitely get it in the US- it is easier and at least for me doesn't cost as much.

We did get a visa in Hong Kong by China Travel Service (Olympic travel agent) and it was tedious. Not only that, they only gave out single entry visas, and you had to do way more work compared to the US way. It also cost more than a multiple entry in my area! So there really isn't a lot of things to do for you. Do it in your area if you can, or hope for the best.

You can get a Chinese visa in Hong Kong in 24 hours. However, US citizens will probably only get a single or double entry, while if they apply in the US they usually get a one year multi-entry. US passport holders also pay more for a Chinese visa than most other passport holders, and this is the same wherever in the world they apply.

If you get your Chinese visa in HOng Kong, you can use http://www.hostelworld.com to get hotel reservation proof, they can refund the money if you cancel the reservation.

Also, for transportation tickets, you can use simple bus tickets to and from Guangzhou (and book your hotels in Guangzhou), it's enough to get you the visa.

My info was before the Olympics...we did ask them to do it as quickly as possible and they said 4 days for that time. So it guess things have changed.

Not only that, the entry period for our visa was only 3 or 4 months and not 1 year.

There is a HUGE thread over at the Lonely Planet thorn tree. Just google "China thorn tree" and you'll get it. It's called "Visa Sticky". There are several posts concerning exactly what you want to do. I seem to recall Thailand and HK being the places that people are still able to get visas...but just search the thread.

Direct link for the China visa sticky on Lonely Planet ThornTree forum: www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa…