hi! I would like to invite my french friend to china for a 3-month stay, is L visa ok for 3 months?

hi I'm chinese, my friend would like to visit me during this coming summer vacation. We are planning a 3 months stay, but I don't know if it's okay to have a 3 months tourism visa? It's his first application, so I wonder if we should try another type （M) or just order the round way tickets for 3 months and apply.