Yeah, seems backward. Spend money, maybe get screwed.
That's the Vancouver p4p scene too...
... I'll be in Shanghai for two nights next week using the new 72 hour tourist visa. It is a little scary - the visa website says that you are given it on arrival. They said that you should tell the airline ahead of time.
I called China Eastern and they said that yes, there is no problem with the 72 hour visa. But they don't need to do anything - just show up with the tickets.
...Really don't want to hang out in an airport for two days. No red rope in an airport.