I work in seoul until sept 4th 2011, I want to travel to china before heading back to the states.

Please don't worry, if you have been to China in the last 2 years, you can apply for China visa through China embassy in Seoul even though your ARC doesn't have 6 months validity. Please provide the flollowing documents:

1> Passport (and copy)
2> One photo
3> Application form
4> the previous China visa on your old or new passport
5> Already confirmed airline ticket(2way/and copy)
6> Hotel voucher
5> Itinerary

When you prepare all of documents, you have to come and apply for a Chinese visa by yourself. You CANNOT through a travel agency.