I'm going to be traveling this spring with a friend who

The pollution isn't as much a problem as people make it out to be, you won't choke to death or get lung cancer. Additionally, the people in cities aren't that rough and are a bit more civilised, especially in bigger cities like Beijing. However the same can't be said of the countryside, although they shouldn't be a problem a lot of the time. If you're on a shorter trip however, go Taiwan.

Hi, you got a Chinese here.
I think the most important question is how long are you planning for your trip? China is a huge nation.You may need to stay in one province for a week in order to visit all essential sites, including national park and historical heritages.
On the other hand, there is no "Chinese Food" in China. We have 8 major food style with dozen subdivision. Cities also have their special dishes for you to experience.
Pollution is a problem in eastern China, which is the culture center. However, for western China with great landscape, pollution is not really a problem. Yunnan is the most popular tourism province in China. Landscape there is great, it is kind of like Oregon of China. However, you may hardly able to find people speak English in market over there. Hainan is another famous tourism province, which is alike Florida of China, but it is getting expensive. By the way, if you want to visit Tibet, you need to apply for a sepreate permission once you arrive in China. You can find information on google.
On the other hand, Taiwan is a good place to visit, and due to politic issue between PRC government and RC government, tourism in Taiwan is meeting a crisis, which may decrease your costs. But recently Republic of China is developing a new policy on working hour and labor benefit policy, Anger is building up within the island and may end up with a movement and protest in Taiwan.

Beijing is developed, so is Xian

China isn't a shithole m9

>>1202848
There's protests all the time, just like there are in any nation like USA or Canada. They never turn violent, and if you're a foreigner you can expect that no one will want to get you involved in politics or social issues (unless you for some reason want to). Never been to China, but Taiwan feels safe pretty much anywhere, and peaceful protests against the government seem to be comforting to me since it's a sign of a functioning democracy.

>>1202855
The thing I am worry about is not violent protest but strikes.
My parents visited America once but due to national budget issue all national park was closed. I hope it would not happen in Taiwan.

I've been to both in the past year, loved both for different reasons.

Taiwan I only went to cause my parents wanted to go to China, but were unsure if they could handle it. So we went somewhere more safe.

I would say, let your friend decide it.
Tell him all the pros and cons. If he decides, there won't be no hard feelings/less hard feelings if he doesn't end up liking it.

That being said, my personal choice would be the mainland. I would stop at some smaller place/national part/whatever that looks green and huge next to Beijing and Xian.
Taiwan is great for many reasons (I did a roundtrip, North to South, spent some time in the East, too), but... It doesn't have the wow factor that the mainland has.

If it was about 'where shall I live' -- Taiwan.

To visit, the mainland, just cause of it's sheer size, it has much more things to do, see...

Pollution is a constant issue in China, however unless you have weak lungs, it's going to be fine without any extra precaution. I personally always had some good mask with me, you never know when you pass a trash burning plant...