Big Chinese cities are still relatively quiet. There are many cars, and they do like to use their horns (even though it is illegal)!!! But no sirens, no big motorbikes, and no big lorries. Also the newer cities have their airports 'out of town' so no aircraft noise. All in all a very pleasant environment. I recently went to Hong Kong where things are more western, the difference was incredible and the noise was really quiet deafening.
Peter