Visit to family member in Jan/Feb 2014, can you help me with the tourist visa?

Hi,
my son who is working in China for 1 year has invited me to visit next year for 10 days, to include a day trip to Hong Kong. As I will be staying at his apartment, can I still apply for one as a tourist as long as I have a letter (e mail) from him inviting me for the relevant period. What details would he need to include ?
He is based in Guangzhou