Do I need a visa for the trip in China?

Hi Anna, the entry permit for HK is not necessary because you can enjoy the free-entry policy there. For Mainland and Hainan visit, you need to apply for an L type entry permit. Besides, to visit Tibet, you need to join a tour group initiated by a travel agency so that you can get the travel permit for Tibet.

Thank you Linda!Do I really need to obtain anything in advance(while not in China)?How about my American friend?Thank you!!!

Anna, you should apply for tourist L type in your home country beforehand. As for Tibet travel permit, you should handle it after you enter PRC.
You American friend needs to apply for a tourist L type in advance, too and he/she doesn’t need entry permit to HK.

Thank you very much for follow up Linda! You seem to know how it works..I got confused. Basically what I am trying to find out if I'll go to China suddenly with my friend can I go without entry permit as a Russian and American citizen at the same time..And what places I can go without it in advance..because it looks like if I don't go to the main land, but only Hong Kong,Tibet, Hainan then I don't need L type. Is it correct?

Anna, you should enter PRC with either UAS or Russian passport, you cannot enter with both of them at the same time. Because you will visit Pearl River region for several days, and Hainan, Tibet, you have to apply for a tourist L type no matter which passport you hold.
AS far as I know, a tourist L type is necessary even though you just visit Hainan and Tibet because the two places are a part of the mainland PRC.
AS for HK, you can entry free entry no matter which passport you hold.

Thank you Linda!so,if I go only to Hainan with my friend as a tourist with Russian passport will those special regulations for Russian tourists visiting Hainan work?(this is my last question,I promise,other stuff seems to be clear now with your help Linda)

If you only go to Hainan with Russian passport, it’s possible fro you to get a 15-day VOA from there.

Thank you! so i got Hong Kong and Hainan without visa obtained in advance.

Actually, Anna, I have a better plan for you. You can arrange your plan like this. First, fly to Hainan from your country, get the 15-day VOA. Then from there, fly to HK, stay for a few days. After that, go from HK to Shenzhen and apply for the 5-day VOA. Then you can get back to your country. Remember to use your Russian passport to enter. With the US passport, you can't get the VOA.

Thank you!!!