As it stands I don't see a better view layer solution then React, but I think you'd be best served learning it without using JSX so you can see exactly what it does. JSX tricks some people into thinking React is some sort of markup processor.
The older generation view solutions are usually string based templates with embedded DSLs to manipulate the resulting DOM. React divorces itself from the DOM totally and allows you to programatically generate and compose the view. Components and the separation from the DOM are React's great features.
Both Ember and Angular are trying to figure out how to integrate the React functional feel into their new versions and are taking notes. I just don't see them improving on React though at best they will copy.