I have no idea about visas and i need help now!

My girlfriend is in china, she is chinese. And today we had a plan that next year i was to go and stay there with her for a year. and she wants to open up a coffee shop, thats great, i am up for it. But, i dont know how i can stay there legally and do that, i dont know much about visas etc. so basicly what would i need to do? and were so i go to do it? thanx people, it means alot.

You may need a Z Visa. Z visa is issued to applicant who want to take up a post or employment in China and their acommpanying members. for details, you can check at your local chinese embassy

if you are going to study at a university you can get a student visa. the universtiy will arrange it ohterwise you will need a F visa-business visa. the duration of a F visa is no more than 6 months, you should then renewn it in Hong Kong and somewhere else. refer to you chinese embassy for details.

I think a business visa would be best for you. As long as you do not perform any kind of paid job, you will be fine with it.  I mean: in any way you just want to give your gf some "free consultation" how to run the business, right?   If you have a 3 month or 6 month business visa you can try to extend it or change it up to a stay of 1 year. Just search the net for some visa services in Beijing or Shanghai. For a little fee they will do it for you without you having to leave the country.