Nowadays there is no boarder visa anymore, you can apply for a China Visa in your country or in Hong Kong.

In lo hu or in shekou or in hun gang you can get Visa for 5 days at once the cost is 100RMB don't need anydocument or picture.
If you need visa for 30 days the same you can get there but in agency before the chiense board there is teh agency in lo hu it is in the second floor in sheko just go out of the boat, for get visa 30 days need one picture, book of the Hotel in China, Fly ticket or Fly booked of retur fly , the plain where you will go.
Frank2