Hello we are U.S. Citizens currently traveling Southeast Asia and are wanting to visit China

but we do not have a Chinese Tourist L type. We are currently in the Philippines and we visited the Chinese Embassy in Manila and were told since we do not have a resident status in the Philippines we cannot apply for the entry permit at that Embassy. Are there any other alternatives to acquire a Chinese Tourist L type? Maybe visit another country and go to the embassy there or book a tour that would help with acquiring the L type?