While I would agree very much that people should use their brain when getting a job, you can't make a blanket statement that recruiters are the enemy and they have no useful information and I know better and therefore I shouldn't listen to anyone except for myself.

You should think for yourself, absolutely, but you may want to actually have a little humility and take other people's advice.

I have eight years of experience recruiting in China/Korea. I am a volunteer and would be more than happy to give you advice/information. I imagine you have had an experience where you were screwed, my sympathies; but that doesn't give you the right to crucify everyone trying to help you.

If you want to get a Z visa before coming to China, please do so. However, if you wanted to shield yourself from the possibility of a BS school when you arrive, I would recommend a tourist visa route and go to Hong Kong to get your work visa.

Again, once you get a Z visa it is very difficult to change it, so to avoid a year of slavery, I would recommend a tourist visa as a safety precaution.