Multiple types of visas at the same time

I'm interested in traveling to China for a few different reasons and sometimes for multiple reasons on the same trip. As examples, I'm interested in attending an academic conference in Shanghai soon, but I'd also want to tour the city while I'm there. In the future, I may take my children for a tour of China, and I might again visit a university while I'm there and possibly guest lecture.

Would it work if I were to get a 10-year, multi-entry tourist visa to cover all these kinds of trips? Or do I need a separate visa (and possibly even more than one visa at the same time) for each type of visit I make?

Thanks for your help.