do i have to appear in person to pick up travel visa?

It seems that you will have to collect the visa in person or send someone else to do it for you, since Chinese consulate in NYC doesn't provide mail back service and those who pick up visas have the responsibility to check the visas in detail. Please report to consuls immediately if there is any problem with the visa. However, you can confirm this with the officers of the consulate when submitting the application.