Guangzhou, zhu jiang new town to be exact.

I am always upping guangzhou on this site. And that district was amazing. Expensive but catered to foreigners and very few chinese people. It was quiet. Farmers had zero reason to go. It felt like an embassy area. Green and quiet.

I moved from there years ago now and when i go back its busier now but still miles better than where I currently reside.

There are lots of cities that are pretty decent.

I think I would choose Sanya. I just love the ocean and the island feeling.

Sanya has a cool vibe to it that feels not too Chinese (unless it is Spring Festival, then don't go)... or maybe it makes dealing with Chinese easier because of the low pollution and sunny rays.

I like Hangzhou, but mainly the surrounding small towns... they build these sort of villa cabins and string party lights along them all so it looks beautiful with nature during the night.

China has a lot of very beautiful places... it is just that pollution and/or tourism ruin them eventually.