Cheapest and most simple way to get a Chinese visa for UK traveller

Bring the requirements to submit the application to CVASC in UK.

Thank you for your advice.
I am more than a little bit surprised to see that it would cost me at least £350 for a visa by post to cover both my wife and I. It's little wonder China get so few tourists visiting from outside of Asia. I don't suppose China really want tourists from the western world just yet.

The application fee varies by country on a reciprocal basis. Unfortunately for you, UK charges a very high visa fee to Chinese citizens.