how do I get a visa with no airline reservations?

I am hoping to travel to china (Beijing and Shanghai) and do a tour before meeting up with my husband who will be in shanghai on work. My husband works for the airlines so we are planning to go standby which means of course that I will not have an airline ticket. I think I saw you needed hotel reservations (which I will have) and also flight reservations (which I will not have). Also, can either of us drop off or pick them up without us both being there? Lastly, did I hear there is a form to fill out if so where do I get that and do I need photos? Thanks for any advice and help you can give