How far in advance of my arrival in China can I apply and receive a Chinese visa

I will be out of my home country travelling from place to place to place. Some of the places I am visiting don't have chinese embassies. I will be in Turkey a month before I plan to arrive in China.
I have been told I can't apply for a Chinese visa in Turkey.

I have been told I must apply 1 month before I intend to arrive in China. Is this true?
Can I apply for it where I am now (Berlin) , 6 months before I intend to be in China?