I have the following itinerary booked for the spring and wanted to double-check about what sort of a visa I'll need.

NRT-PVG (stop)
PVG-HKG (transit)
HKG-XMN(XIAMEN) (stop)
XMN-HKG (transit)
HKG-TPE (stop)
TPE-HKG (stop)

Single entry, correct?

Might as well get a multiple entry visa its the same cost.

Two entries.

One for entering PVG. One for XMN, as you've already left China by flying to HKG.

I don't understand why one would fly PVG-HKG-XMN, that would cost much more and waste a lot of time, plus an extra visa. Instead of just flying SHA-XMN non-stop.

Yes, you would get an exit stamp leaving PVG. But no entry stamp to HKG? Try to explain...I left China but
not really. Probably wouldn't fly. As in might not let you on the plane to Xiamen.

No entry into HKG. But the OP will have a stamp exiting PVG and he's out of China. Getting into XMN, he's like all other passengers - coming from outside China. So, need another visa.

Just get a multiple entry. When you get to south China you might decide
to jump across the borders a few times...HK, Macau, China. Comes in handy.^

Now that the Olympics are over the visa problem is over. No more possibility of
foreigners sleeping under bridges because hotels are $500 a night for a 60 dollar room.

Thank you all for your quick responses

Part of a complicated OneWorld RTW trip and that was just how it worked out.

And I was thinking of going to Macau. Forgot about that.

So just check "multiple entry" on my visa application and it shouldn't be a problem to obtain? Should I include a copy of my itinerary in my application to indicate why I need it?

Edit to add:
Just looking on the embassy website. Looks like my options are "double entry for 6 months" or "multiple entry for 6 months". Looks like for my itinerary I'll need double entry. But if I go to Macau too will I need a 3rd?

These days (after the Olympics), you should have no problem getting a multiple entry visa. And don't even need itinerary. And the cost is the same for US citizen, whether it's single, dual, or multiple entry. All $130.

SHA-XMN is a short and cheap flight. Only cost about US$100. You may consider just leaving an open-jaw in your RTW and just fly that non-stop.

Just remember this. Hong Kong and Macau each has its own border. You go from China to either place, and you're considered out of China. You just don't need a visa for Hong Kong or Macau. But you'll need another entry on your Chinese visa when you get back in.

You are most likely going to Macau from Hong Kong, during your stay in HK. You won't be entering China again, so no Chinese visa, as you're going back to HK. But if you're traveling from Macau back into China, then you need another visa.

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Edit: Just think about it this way for practical purposese - HK and Macau as separate countries from China. But US citizens don't need visa to visit either. Same with Taiwan.

Great. I'll go for the multiple entry then. Thanks again for you help.

RE: XMN, I've already used my one permitted open-jaw elsewhere in the itinerary--it was that particular open-jaw which made the whole thing work so there was no possibility of sacrificing it.

Should be able to get multiple entry 12 month (L) tourist visa for up to 60 day stays.

Pearl River Delta : China, Macua (no visa), Hong Kong (no visa).

Are the VISA costs for US citizens the same $130 for either single or multiple entry?

Yes, it's all $130.

Could this be a better alternative?
PVG-HKG-(Macau by ferry)-TPE- seperate tix doing TPE-jinmen--(ferry)Xiamen--TPE.

I just received my Chinese visa.....applied for single entry, but was given a multiple entry visa at the same cost. It appears that after the Olympics they are much more open to granting multiple entry visas.

When I went to Beijing in Dec. 2006, I got a single entry visa for $50. I find $130 for a six month, or even one year visa, even with multiple entries to be a bit high. I have a ten year multiple entry visa to India for $125. I would be willing to pay even $150 or $200 for a ten year visa. Chinese paranoia will probably never allow them to issue a ten year visa.