Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Sanya, Xiamen, and PEK. That would be about it, IMHO. I live in Sanya and it is a very nice place with NO expat facilities, but it is a nice place other than that. The rest have large expat communities and facilities, and are modern, comfortable places to live, even with families. International schools can be very expensive. I believe Shenzhen Airlines is now offering school subsidies. My opinion.
China is a better place that a lot of other contract options for families, at least for a couple of years.