I asked if I needed a visa even though we will be spending less than a day in China

when we arrive then take a cruise to Japan then arrive back and spend only about 6 hours in ShangHai before leaving back to the states. I asked here and to the cruise company, called 3 different times, called the Visa via mail company this email suggested...I got different answers everytime. So I just went down to get the Visa at the consulate. I asked them before I submitted the request and they said I needed one. I did spend 7 hours just waiting in line to drop off and 3 additional hours waiting in line to pick up- basically it took me longer to get the visa's then we will be in China. But am glad that we should be "ok" when we get there and not turned away. Just be aware of who you are getting advice from.