If you go to China for tourist purpose or visit friends in China, you need to apply tourist visa unless you are citizens of Singapore, Brunei, or Japan. www.visaforchina.org/LON_EN/visainstruction/250022.shtml

You can fill the application form online - www.visaforchina.org/LON_EN/onlinetools/249940.shtml

Or you can download and print the form which you can find here - www.visaforchina.org/LON_EN/visainstruction/250015.shtml

You can either apply in person or by postal. The fees vary from £36 to £54 (www.visaforchina.org/LON_EN/visainstruction/250020.shtml)

It takes 3-4 working days to get a tourist visa. For more, please go to www.visaforchina.org/LON_EN/visainstruction/250040.shtml