I am currently an US citizen teaching in China and have a 1 year Z
Work Visa.  I signed a contract before I left the US.  Then, after I
flew all the way to China, they made me sign another contract that
stated that if the school or I  breech the contract, there is a fine. 
I couldn't really do anything about it because I was in rural China
and I made plans based on the first contract.  Now, I would like to
end my employment with the school after 3 months and travel in China. 
Can I end employment with the school, travel for a month on my Z (1
yr.) Work Visa, and be able to re-enter the US without complications?

Hi,
This is a free comment and certainly no professional or legal advice
(see the disclaimer below).

I am assuming that you have or will terminate your contract correctly.

Having been to China a couple of times, just from a practical
standpoint, I would say that you could travel.  In hotels or
elsewhere, if your passport is checked, the official will have no way
of knowing whether or not you are traveling as part of your job,
indeed, s/he will probably not care about anything except seeing the
visa and maybe noticing that it has not yet expired, ditto at the
airport.
A Chinese visa is valid for entry before the given date and requires
exit before it expires  - within the period of validity.
Certainly you will have no problem re-entering the States.

As said, this is just a practical estimate of the situation.
Good luck, Myoarin

Hi there,

I had exactly the same situation as you a few years ago in China.  I
decided I wanted to stop working at the school that issued my work
permit, and basically just left without any sort of formal contract
breaking.  My school was threatening me, and like you I was very
worried about what might happen when I tried to leave.  I ended up
going to a police station and in the town where I was and asking if
there were going to be any problems with my visa.  They told me there
weren't, and sure enough, when I left China there was no issue at all
at customs.

I hope this helps!

Sincerely, 
David Jinkins