Malaysian student from USA want to go to WuHan and GuangZhou, what should she do?

Hi, thank you very much in advance for answering my questions because I really appreciate your time to solve my confusion.
I am a Malaysian who is currently studying in America. I bought my tickets to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and planned to visit my friend in WuHan, China for approximately eight days alone. We (me and that China citizen friend) might go to other parts of China. My flight will arrive on May 28 in HKG, and I will stay overnight in Hong Kong and travel to China by train the next day. I planned to leave the mainland on June 6 because my flight from HKG to KUL is on June 7.
Q1 Would I need to inform the embassy my duration in China during my first visit?
Q2 Is it possible to get the visa if I am on a tour by myself?
My second entrance to China is when I have a 23 hours connecting flight in BaiYun Airport. I intend to do a one-day-trip around Guangzhou during my transit. However, I will be in China after three months in Malaysia as I will arrive in BaiYun on September 9.
Q3 Do you think I should get a two-entrance type or.... any other suggestions?
Q4 Is there a price difference between the tourist type fees in the Chinese Consulate General in America and in Malaysia?
Q5 What types of document would I need to prepare before I pay my visit to the Chinese Consulate General, consular office?
Q6 What kind of questions should I expect?
Q7 Lastly, my main concern is when should i apply for this tourist type?

I know these questions are really specific and pretty long.
Thank you so much for you help. I look forward to your responses.