Question about US passport and Chinese Visa

Hello, I'm a US citizen living in South Korea as a student. I want to go on a tour in China. I have a friend living in Chengdu and wants me to come around August. My passport just expired and i've already summited to get it renew. Will my new passport keep me from going to China on August? On a website, it said that I must have my passport for at least 6 months. Even though I had my old passport for 5 years. I'm planning to tour around China for 3 weeks, so I need a tourist Visa. Thank you for your help.