I have read a lot about the K1 visa (spouse) and the K3 visa (fiance). I have a few questions - hope someone can help me out.

1) what is faster? K1 or K3?

2) I have read that during the K1 visa process, the spouse can come to USA prior to completion? is this true?

3) my fiance might be able to come to USA on tourist visa. I know getting married while she is here on tourist visa is frowned upon - but is this doable? what are the risks?

basically, i do not mind going through the process and forms and doing everything right, it's just that i don't want to be apart 8 or 12 months while we wait for a K1/K3 (i also have heard that getting a tourist visa while having a pending immigrant visa application is difficult - is this true?)

By the way, my fiance is chinese.

Any thoughts or recommendations or advice?? Thanks.

I presume you're a U.S. citizen? That affects your options.

Since your fiance is Chinese, she will probably have a hard time getting a tourist visa in any event, due to the large number of Chinese who overstay. If she does get one, comes here, and you marry, well, there's always a chance that it will be viewed as immigration fraud (which it is) and cause problems. Your best bet, in my opinion, is to be up front and apply for a fiance visa.

#3 is doable and have been done by many people, but like Aliba said it can be viewed as immigration fraud. No doubt its the fastest among the 3 options available though. If you do intend to pursue it, make sure that the marriage doesn't occur until 60 days has passed from the initial entry to US.
My suggestion is to gather information on your local USCIS office to have a feel on whether they routinely approve such situation or look down upon it.

Remember Budapest66, that according to Marmaduk, if you ever have any difficulty getting a visa for your fiance, just make up a bunch of phoney stories about the embassy employees and then file a frivolous lawsuit or two against said employees. Always lie about everything. (please read this with an open mind)

Someone12, why don't you go back and read again before saying things taking out of context and making moronic accusations.
And for the Budapest66, some people in this board loved to point out worst case scenario and scared people to make their immigration process even more miserable. Do your own research and take advantage of the situation whenever it permits.

Marmadik: why don't you take an ethics course? (however, that would immediately disqualify you from ever becoming an immigration attorney)