do you have to have a signed letter of invitation to travel to china as a tourist ?

i want to travel to china and need a visa i have been on the web sight but it says you have to obtain a sighned letter of invertation.What if you do not know anyone in china and just want to visit as a tourist ?

it must be in a certain area that is restricted because anyone can go to china from the US

you need to give your hotel reservation sheet. the letter of invite is for ppl who say theyre staying at a friends home or relatives home.

I've heard of letters of invitation necessary to visit Russia - but not China. Best to contact either their nearest embassy or consulate - or a travel agency.

you dont need one.. I've been traveling in and out of china but never obtained one.

try calling you local china embassy, and ask for the requirements. or call a travel agency, they can help you with the requirements or even the submission to the embassy.

If you are applying for a tourist visa, you do not need a letter of invitation. It means you can only stay for 30 days and cannot work, but it is the simplest visa. This is assuming you are from a country that does not have strong travel restrictions.

Simply contact the Chinese Embassy and apply. It is straightforward, you just need your passport, completed application form, passport photo and MONEY.

You do not need one. Leave it blank on the visa form. The regulations are; that you can only stay in registered hotels, or if you stay in private accommodation, you have to report to the local police station! Best to just name a hotel, whether you do, or not stay there, or rough details of itinerary. .

No you can obtain one by booking through a tour company or if you have recite of a return flight and a hotel booking.

Being as to how I just got my one year multiple entry visa, I can honestly and completely surely say that all you need is your passport, the application, and some hotel address to put on the form. and they dont really check anything, they just want you to pay the $130 and youre done.
the only time i was asked for a letter of invitation was when I traveled over in August, and it was because of the olympics and the massive surge of people getting visas.