If you stay in the Northeast I can recommend Dalian as a really clean seaside city (I grew up in Liaoning and I think it's better than the capital Shenyang). In the South there's Hangzhou and Nanjing but I'd avoid Shanghai unless you're really into the super dense New York vibes (comes with the same kind of snooty petit bourgeois elitism too). Beijing is probably the easiest for a foreigner because everyone speaks English but it's also got some of the worst traffic and hectic life.
Since you mentioned travel, Xi'an and Chongqing are worth a look, it's pretty chill but I'm not sure about job prospects as a foreigner.
If you stay in the Northeast I can recommend Dalian as a really clean seaside city (I grew up in Liaoning and I think it's better than the capital Shenyang). In the South there's Hangzhou and Nanjing but I'd avoid Shanghai unless you're really into the super dense New York vibes (comes with the same kind of snooty petit bourgeois elitism too). Beijing is probably the easiest for a foreigner because everyone speaks English but it's also got some of the worst traffic and hectic life.
Since you mentioned travel, Xi'an and Chongqing are worth a look, it's pretty chill but I'm not sure about job prospects as a foreigner.
Hangzhou and Nanjing are options on the list! I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the advice.