I spent 3 years in China before Covid. Happened to be out of the country during initial lockdown and that was that. My experiences are pre Covid so things may be different now, I don’t know.

Pros:

- very vibrant, never bored even though when I went I didn’t know anyone really

- I was paid a Silicon Valley salary so high income compared to the typical local. Can afford a very nice lifestyle

- due to demographics and being an “actual” expat, as opposed to English teacher, was respected

Cons:

- general quality of life. Traffic, pollution, food and water safety etc

- can be hard to make deep connection except with other expats. Just different cultures and values.

- lack of freedom and censorship. Vpn needed for everything, and even then doesn’t always work. Certain topics are avoided

- there is a surface level fakeness that I personally really dislike.

It’s a fun place to be for a while when you have the income and status. But for me at least not a place to be long term.