I realize that visa questions are frequent on here, and I've done quite a bit of searching here and all over the internet to gain clarity, but still am not sure how to proceed, so I'm hoping someone can offer some insight. The main thing I'm trying to do here is cover all my bases since I'm not exactly sure what I want to do when I get there.

What my plan is: My girlfriend is Chinese, from KM. We live in Canada, but want to spend about 1 year in KM to take some time off from work and focus on other projects. We figure we can save costs, won't have to pay rent, etc, which seems like the best way to accommodate this. I'm not exactly sure what I'll do when I get there, but I have some websites I run that I might focus on, but I've also considered teaching English if necessary.

Option 1 - If I don't teach English, I realize I will require an "L" visa. Me and my GF are only common law in Canada at this point, so I don't see that helping me get any kind of residency. I've seen lots of info and read stories about obtaining and living in China on a tourist visa, but I'm seeking a bit more clarification. As a Canadian, is it possible to get the 1 year multiple entry visa that I have heard about? Is this still offered? Also, what is the maximum stay limit for these (30/60/90 days etc). If I come to KM and don't teach/get a Z visa, I would like the longest possible visa with the longest possible stay limit. Are there other criteria other than "I want to visit/will be supported financially by my GF's parents" that I need to fulfil? Realistically I can pay my way, but my bank account and outstanding student loans won't reflect that. If this isn't possible, what is my best option, a 90 day visa? Can I get this at the Loas border when it runs out, or am I limited to 30 days there? The idea is I want to make as few border runs as possible over the course of a year.

Also, I am a dual American/Canadian citizen, but only hold a valid Canadian passport. If I were to apply with my US passport, would I have a greater chance of getting a 1 year multiple entry?

Option 2 – I teach English and get a Z visa – This seems a bit more straightforward to me. I know I need my TESOL cert and my degree. Easy. I have no criminal record and am in good health. My question here is whether or not I could obtain it AFTER arriving in KM and seeing what work is available or if I just can't make ends meet (don't worry, I like teaching and have an excellent understanding of the English language – no intention of being a jerkoff English teacher just doing it for $, even if that's my motivating factor). I wouldn't want to have to fly back to Canada shortly after getting there to get a physical exam... could I switch from L- Z visa easily and just get a physical in KM? I just don't want to bother with getting an exam in Canada if I can avoid it.

I'm grateful to any insights people might have. I think my primary question is about this 1 year multiple entry visa that I've heard about, but that most people don't seem to have. I'd like to get one if possible, and don't know if having a Chinese GF/living with her family will help at all or not. I'm also considering contacts a Chinese visa service here in Montreal to see if they can help me out. I saw one that advertises the 1 year multiple entry, so maybe they would know? Maybe me and the GF will have to take a stroll in Chinatown here and ask around.

Again, thanks to anyone who has any info/experiences they can share!

Visas for Americans are more expensive than many other nationalities, so staying Canadian will help you reduce visa costs.

If you are thinking of working, sort that out before you come. It is not possible to change an 'L' to a 'Z' without exiting China. A 'Z' to an 'L' is easier, but duration of the 'L' is then limited to 30 days, you then need to exit and re-enter.
I am assuming this is the same as before, I don't think this has changed with the Sept regs. Although I stand to be corrected.

What appears to have changed is that you can no longer do the "visa run" to Hong Kong and would need to go back to Canada.

I think we need more info and/or shared epxperiences on this.
A few of my colleagues have done a visa run in the last month. To VN and HK.

As of yesterday Hong Kong's website states it will only issue visas for Hong Kong residents.

This is from the website of the consulate (actually it's the Chinese Foreign Ministry).

4, If you don't reside or work in Hong Kong permanently, you are required to apply Chinese visa from the Embassy or Consulate-General of Peoples' Republic of China in your resident country.

I've also seen that Bangkok's Chinese Embassy website has been update this month with the same (or similar) requirement.

Shit.
It looks like the writing is on the wall.
We are no longer needed.

That advice has been on the HK website for some time, but I know of two teachers who have successfully got their work visas on a hop to HK within the last few months. At the time of writing, it seems the website policy and the actual practice are different. For how long, who can say?
The recent Bangkok website change is a worry, though.

shit, that that could be a little bit frustrating since I don't know if I want to teach until I get there. Also, I would want to be there in person before deciding to work with an employer... how can I be expected to choose blindly from Canada and then just show up? Is that what everyone else does? I'm really hoping it's possible to get the Visa and re-enter through HK or another country...

There's a thread here where people seem to indicate that as long as your paperwork states you are applying from the HK consulate, you should be fine: www.shanghaiexpat.com/[...]

(a bit of contradicting information, but the last post explains it a bit more)