Hi there,
my boyfriend and I want to come to China(Kunming) for about 6 months. I am willing to study chinese, so in that case there will be no visa issue for me, but my boyfriend is not the language study type and, honestly, we would prefer not to spend tuition money on him just for a visa.

What would you advise? I know that a tourist visa is issued for 30 days. Please, correct if wrong. but then I saw different types of tourist visas, for ex., 6 months multiple entry. what does that mean? are there any special circumstances needed to apply for that type of visa? if not, in the event he gets one such visa, what is with the multiple entries? does he have to get out of the country multiple times and reenter within 6 months or can he stay 6 consecutive months in China ? What about extensions?
Insights are appreciated. Also if you have any visa ideas besides a student one which will grant him a 6 months stay, please write.

Thanks a lot

i'd recommend you contact your Chinese embassy/consulate back home and see what your options are. policies change all the time, so it's difficult to give authoritative advice. the deal is often better at your home country Chinese embassy/consulate.

bear in mind that the "one year but must leave every x days/months" visa isn't too onerous here, as there's Viet and Lao consulates in Kunming, and buses to the border, so the transport costs incurred in a visa run can be kept in check.