American students apply for UK tourist visa

It can be done at the British Consulate in your consular district, or you can go directly to the British Embassy in DC, or you can come back to China. It’s all the same, because you already have an F1 visa, as long as you are in the United States. It can be said that legal residence is 100% guaranteed, so you can apply for it anywhere. It’s just an inconvenience for you.