You can go to China as many times as you want any time you please during the validity of your visa. There is no need to notify a soul.

Thanks again, moondog. Your (and others) advice is appreciated!

Any thoughts about why the China embassy website suggests that the travel has to be initiated within 90 days of the visa issurance?

Thus you have a one year visa.

But it does say "enter before"--that's the expiration date. You got 365 days--common for Americans, not so common for most other passports.

Sometimes we have listed a subsequent trip on our application, sometimes we haven't. We have never contacted them about subsequent trips. It has never been the slightest issue. (Note, though, that we have a long record of not overstaying and not getting in trouble, and she's China-born.)

This is standard boilerplate that applies to most L visas issued in other places in the world, which are generally single-entry for 30 or 60 days only. It does not apply to your configuration of visa, which is available primarily to US citizens applying in the USA, due to provisions of the special US-China visa treaty. Most other nationalities cannot get this type of visa. Please don't worry about this any more, and also know that there's often verbiage on Chinese Embassy websites that is either unclear, out of date, or outright inaccurate. Welcome to China.

For most countries it would need to be. Visas issued to Americans are generally a lot better than visas issued to other nationals.

Americans used to get such visas also. Even in the earlier part of the last decade there simply was no way to get a visa that was valid for more than 90 days. We even went down to the PSB to plead for a longer duration when her mother was dying slowly--we wanted to have current visas at all times. They wouldn't budge.

By now, though--our last visas were two year L's. (No, you're not going to get one. They're only for the China-born and spouse.)

Thanks Loren and jiejie. I'm looking forward to visiting.

Overstating visas doesn't seem to be a big deal in the slightest as long as you haven't pissed off the wrong people in the process. Negotiate a settlement and all is good.

Yours truly actually overstayed a visa by two days in 1999 (holiday weekend issue). There was a back room lecture but it only lasted 2 minutes and ended with "give us your passport, y170, and 10 minutes, and we'll process a one month extension".

Numerous acquaintances have overstayed by a year plus. In that case getting a lawyer to sort things out is a no brainer because the savings in fines pay the legal fees many times over. But for them too, it was smooth sailing during subsequent applications.

It should go without saying that I'm not advising anyone to intentionally overstay, but if you wake up one morning and suddenly realize that you miscounted your days, there's no need to panic.

Is there a way to obtain a visa to PRC from the Chinese embassy in Jakarta Indonesia? I am a US Passport holder staying in Jakarta for three months and had hoped to get a visa to PRC in Jakarta. The Chinese embassy says it's not possible to obtain a visa on a US passport from their Jakarta office.
I'm hoping there is a strategy around this answer.

Should be ok if you have some resident status. As a tourist in Jakarta then probably not.

Would the odds be better at some Chinese counsulate in Indonesia outside of Jakarta (if there is one)? They might not be as busy and thus more willing to be helpful.

It says in the FAQ on the Chinese embassy US website that a utility bill is sufficient proof of residence. Anyone tried this?

Yes, but I've only been asked once in ~15 applications.

Well, if you have a US passport applying in the US, this is not an issue. If you hold a foreign passport it is a different story. When my girlfriend (Australian) applied for her Chinese visa in Canada, she had to show her permanent resident card. As a Canadian, I obviously do not need to show anything.

There's a semi-new rule (usually loosely enforced) in the US that says we're supposed to apply via the consulate that is responsible for our states of residence.

Regarding the person upthread who wants to apply in Indonesia, but doesn't have residence, I'd say it's worth a shot if he really wants to go to China. IME that's a rule that can be bent with a combination of compelling circumstances and a friendly counter person (though I've witnessed more strikeouts than successes on this front).