Can I get a visa without my hotel and flight bookings?

Hi,
I want to go to Beijing with a friend for about 9 days in mid April for a holiday (flight or hotel not booked yet as I have to wait on other dates).
If so, what information do I need instead?
my friend is going to England on 27th March for 5 days and I am going to France on 3rd April for 5 days so we
will need our passports. Can I get a visa before 27th March?

Many thanks,

Anne