Application Form for a Chinese Visa.

Hello,
On the 1st of October we are going to China on 4 night stay and cruise.
We are flying To XIAN on the 1st and will be staying in 2 Hotels for 2 nights, the first in Xian and then Beijing for 2 nights.
We are being told that we need a visa for the 4 night stay, we have been quoted £151.00 each...The problem is that we do not know which application forms we need, we have been on Google and there are so many different Company's charging different amounts for their services?
We also know that we will have to have finger prints taken, Manchester is closest to us (We live Leicester).
Can you please explain to us (we are totally confused!) what we have to do, where do we find the correct forms we need and how do we get an appointment to have the finger printing done.
We are getting very nervous because our time is getting shorter and we would obviously need to take the visa's with us.
We are travelling as a couple and intend to stay that way throughout the holiday,
Hope you can help us with this problem.
Regards,
Gary.