Renewing and changing VISAS

Question from KATEINSHANGHAI:
So I am very very confused. I have been working Shanghai for a year on a Z visa (I believe) and I have a residence permit - everything was organized by my company. But at the end of August I will finish work and I want to travel for a few (3+?) months in China, then head to SE Asia then return to Shanghai to pick up my stuff and head home.... but my company says I can only get a 1 month tourist visa now and then go to HK and renew which will become very expensive and difficult if I am far away...so do I have other options?? Are there long term travel visas available from within China? Is it safe to use an agency to help process it? How expensive should it be?

Really need some advice....

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Answer by JABAROOTOO:
Best option is go to the PSB office that issues visas in Shanghai and see what they will give you. You can extend L visas without leaving the country but each situation and place is different, unfortunately so what we give you as well meant advice may not be correct in your circumstance.

Answer by APAULT:
When my Z visa ended I only received a 15 day L visa, not even 30 days. As it happens I tried to renew it in Shanghai.... I was told that it was non renewable, just as u have been told Kate. In effect the L visa you get is not a true L visa as it was issued on cancellation of your Resident's Permit. The explanation is that they give you a short visa to provide time to get your personal matters sorted out and leave. I argued that teachers want to see the country tey have heard so much about and spernd their savings, but it cut no ice. They said go to HK (which I did). So having experience of the Shanghai office, I can only suggest that you try applying for your L visa from another office and you MIGHT get another result.