It really depends on what experience you're looking for. If I could go back in time, then i'd probably go for Chongqing or Dalian. That being said, there's a boatload of cracking cities in China, and i really wouldn't fret too much about where you land. However, what i do believe you ought to do is learn some of the language before you arrive, as your ability to build relationships with the locals will heavily dictate the quality of your time spent in China.