Can I travel to China on a tourist visa and then apply for a Z visa while in Beijing?

Ernst Nilsson, frankly speaking, if you travel to China on a tourist visa and then apply for a visa while in Beijing, the procedure won't go smoothly. If the staff in charge of foreign affairs in Tsinghua University told you that he/she can change your tourist visa into work visa in Beijing, you can do that, otherwise, I suggest that you apply and receive Z visa in US before travel to China.

In fact, it is easy for you to obtain a Z visa in USA if you have obtained a Foreign Expert's License and Official Invitation Letter issued by Beijing Foreign Affairs Office or Beijing Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.