Hi! You can contact a travel agency or apply for visa by yourself. The procedures are same. the only difference is that you need pay service fee to travel agency.

However, please note the Importance Notice on Chinese Visa Application on this page. From August 28, 2008, Ordinary Passport Holders who will go to China need submit visa applications to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC). The visa applications from travel agencies or visa agencies also need to be submitted to CVASC. So if you entrust a travl agency to do it, you should pay for Services Charges of Travel Agency and CVASC.