Never played this map, so wasn't sure where to lay the first line. It's worth take a look anyway, since the available industry - productive buildings, businesses - is randomized somewhat (the maps are divided into regions, where certain buildings can spawn, also settlements are also set in similar way).
I wanted to start out on a flat area, where no bridge is necessary. It's more expensive to build in mountainous regions, also trains are slower and the landscape is hard on the engines. Bridges are costly too.
I separated a couple of suitable areas.
First site is the basin at Beijing along the Huang He. Problem is the economy is too simple, only cotton is available as a raw material, so only Textile Mills could prosper. Ofc with time new industry pops up (especially with towns supplied), but I sought something more diverse.
Second site is between the two rivers. Here besides the textile, food can be produced from the available cattle.
Third is the south of Yangtze, inland. Even better: wool -> textile, cattle -> food, iron -> goods. With time maybe even a bakery would spawn and the sugar nearby could supply that. However on the rim, the hilly terrain could make things a bit more complex.