Re the increase in visa fees for Schenghen countries. A lot of countries play tit-for-tat on visa fees. A Schenghen visa costs Chinese citizens €60 so if guess China has brought the fees in-line. €60 to a European isn't as much in the scheme of things compared to €60 to Chinese people.

@hotwater: tit-for-tat, yes, this is true, they also say that on their homepage...no big issue..

I got same requirements from embassy in Ireland. I booked one way ticket Dublin- HK and as return : one way HK-Hanoi ( Vietnam ). I booked 2 nights in SZ hostel ( online ) as a proof that I have place to stay 1-2 nights when I arrive. Plan: : all China ..from north to south by trains, buses, sleep in hostels. Improvise by situations. They were happy that Im interested in their country I guess :-) so didn't have any more questions. U can just briefly write big cities u r planing to visit, thats all.

Since u r from EU, dont have to be worry about booking all places u want to go.

yes, thank you, we shall try by booking just 1 guesthouse at start of the trip..