Re: China Visa
When we went to China in 2006 we went with a company called Oriental Travel, via the internet, who I was going to recommend. however it seems as if they were dissolved in 2015.
Apart from that, the travel company,if your using one, should be able to sort out your visas etc.
In our case we sent the passports to the travel company, yes it did concern us at the time, and got them back a couple of days later with the visa stamp in it.
No need to get anyone to check forms or anything,save your money. Of course things may have changed since then
what we did notice is those who went with well known travel agents was the were taken to the great wall. They stepped off the coaches and onto the wall.
When we went we were taken right out to the countryside and got a ski lift to the mountain top
half way up in the ski lift
on top of the wall
this is what you are paying to see
Parts of the wall are a steep climb
Sue and tour guide, I stood back a few feet to give some idea
China on the left and Mongolia on the right
i don't know how long your going for, but it won't be long enough. I wish I could go back and see more, they are so friendly, even the little school kids wave to you
My advice ,for what it is worth is to book as a small party or individuals . We had our own tour guides own car and driver and went to places the others didn't go to.