Based on what you have said , you may enter mainland China as many times as you want before November 2, 2011. Once you have entered, you may stay for up to 60 days. The expiration date refers to the last day you are permitted to enter the country, not the date by which you must leave. Thus if you enter the country on November 1, 2011 you may stay for 60 days from that date (or whatever date you enter).

---"By my calculations Aug, Sept, Oct, then should leave mainland and can enter anytime before Nov. 2, 2011 for 60 days..correct?"

Yes, correct. Hope this helps.

Cheers

Yes, the date on the visa is the time frame to enter China so come in the first of Nov and spend Christmas here if you want. That being said, you are talking about a country that written contracts and laws don't count 100%, so just because you're allowed to enter on Nov. 1 doesn't mean some prick at customs can't cause you problems and prevent your entry.

thanks for you the help!. i've learned to be a little paranoid since being here when i come to 'official' things

I am assuming it is an "L" (tourist) visa.   Three things you must understand on it.  First is "multientry", which means you can enter China as many times as you want within a fixed window of time.  Second is validity, and you have a 90 days valid visa to enter China up to November 2, 2011 as many times as you want.  And third is "stay", each time you enter, you are allowed a maximum of 60 days stay.

So, technically you can enter China on November 2, 2011, and stay here thru Xmas and depart on or before January 1, 2012.  And if it is worth that much to you, also one week prior to departure, you can go to your local PSB office and request a 30 days extension, may cost you a lot, but you could also be here for New Lunar Year celebrations.

If it is a multiple entry visa you are allowed to come to china for a total of a year. If they gave you 60 days and that's not 3 months that's 2 months you have to leave the country within that time frame. After that they stamp your passport which will allow you come back to mainland China. SInce you want to go to Japan you can go there and come back no problem. Just don't miss the deadline and timeframe on when to leave. Coming back is no problem it's leaving that you have to worry about the most. 

Take 60 days on when you arrived and your gonna have to leave in 60 days time period than you can come back. If they had a confusing look on their face it was probably because they were thinking about dunkin doughnuts or taking people's money. It's better to ask someone who doesn't have those things on their mind and can point you in the right direction. 

Geeee....., Mattaya, you rang out of questions and had to reply to a question posted almost 1/2 year ago ?.  And on top, you replied it wrongly.  The fellow had a 90 days (3 months) validity on his visa, and those 90 days expired on November 11, 2011.  It had an "M" or multiple entry type, and each entry was good for 60 days stay. 

So, no way he would have been allowed into China for one year as you claim on your reply, and you are confusing "stay" with "validity" periods.  

Don't you have "face" ?

1st...I'm a she for future reference

2nd...its been half a year mattaya, a lil late to the party. perhaps its good idea to not comment if you don't understand the question to begin with...just a suggestion

3rd...daben and happyexpat answered correctly