Hefei

Hefei’s travel highlights include Three Kingdoms history, Huizhou-style water towns, redeveloped industrial sites, and night-market food. The itinerary below covers sights, dining, and transport over 3 days and 2 nights, for reference when planning a city trip.

• Sanhe Ancient Town: This Jianghuai water town has a history of 2,500 years and is Hefei’s only 5A-rated scenic area. Bluish-gray tiled houses line flagstone streets; you can take a traditional rowing boat or try local Sanhe rice dumplings. The town itself is free to enter, while some attractions charge separate admission.

• Baogong Park: Dedicated to Bao Zheng, the park’s main sights include Baogong Shrine, Baogong’s Tomb, and Qingfeng Pavilion. Located in the city center, it uses a Huizhou-style garden layout. From Qingfeng Pavilion, you can look out over the surrounding moat and city buildings; in summer, lotus ponds are also in bloom.

• Xiaoyaojin Park: The park preserves the historical setting of an ancient Three Kingdoms battlefield and is associated with the story of “Zhang Liao’s great victory at Xiaoyaojin.” It has a Ferris wheel and large lawns, and holds childhood memories for many Hefei residents. Admission is free, and it suits visitors of all ages.

• Hechai 1972: China’s first cultural and creative park converted from a former prison site, it retains red-brick buildings and industrial spaces. You can visit a vintage appliance museum and art exhibitions, or rest in a café. It is well suited to retro-style photos, and entry is free.

• Anhui Museum (New Building): This national first-class museum incorporates the Huizhou-style “four waters returning to the hall” design. Highlights of the collection include the Chu Grand Ding and Huizhou carvings. Admission is free, but reservations through official channels are required in advance.

• Swan Lake: Known as Hefei’s “living room,” it is ideal for an evening visit. Watch the sunset, then enjoy the “Hefei Three Towers” light show and its reflections on the lake, or take a stroll along the shore after dinner.

• Chaohu Lakeside Grassland: Here, the lake meets open grassland. You can try grass skiing, or cycle and take photos along Huanhu North Road. The broad lakeshore and grassland have a rural, pastoral feel.

• Lei Street: Once the lanterns come on at night, this food street enters its liveliest hours. The area brings together many Anhui flavors, including Huainan beef soup, Fuyang juanmo rolls, and crayfish.

3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Old-city life, history, and culture
  • Morning: Start at Xiaoyaojin Park. Learn about the history of the Three Kingdoms battlefield, see the Ferris wheel and broad lawns, and experience the familiar leisure space of Hefei residents.
  • Noon: Walk to Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street and visit the Li Hongzhang Former Residence, which requires a reservation. For lunch, try Luzhou roast duck and duck-oil sesame cakes, then buy milk tea from the local brand Kawang卡旺卡.

• Afternoon: Explore the Huizhou-style gardens of Baogong Park and climb Qingfeng Pavilion for views of the surrounding area.
  • Evening: Visit Lei Street night market for snacks and lantern displays, and get a feel for local nightlife.
• Day 2: Museums, creative parks, and city views
  • Morning: Allow 2–3 hours for the Anhui Museum (New Building), using its collection to explore a thousand years of Jianghuai history.
  • Noon: Eat near the museum, choosing Huizhou dishes such as stinky mandarin fish and hairy tofu.

• Afternoon: Head to Hechai 1972 to tour the red-brick factory buildings and retro streets, with time for photos and a break.
  • Dusk: Watch the sunset and the “Hefei Three Towers” light show at Swan Lake, or visit the graffiti area at New Granary.
• Day 3: Choose between Sanhe’s water town and Chaohu’s lakeshore
  • Option A (Sanhe Ancient Town): Take a taxi or shuttle bus to Sanhe Ancient Town; the journey takes about 1 hour. Once there, walk along the old flagstone streets, ride a black-canopied boat, and try Sanhe rice dumplings while exploring the town’s water-town character.
  • Option B (Chaohu scenery): Try grass skiing at Chaohu Lakeside Grassland, then cycle along the lake and enjoy the broad views of Anhui’s largest lake. Return in the afternoon with souvenirs.

Hefei Specialties

• Luzhou Roast Duck: Made with Chaohu麻 duck and roasted hanging over fruitwood charcoal, it has crisp skin and a rich but not greasy flavor. Pair it with duck-oil sesame cakes; eating them hot best brings out their crisp aroma.

• Sanhe Rice Dumplings: A signature snack of Sanhe Ancient Town, made with indica-rice wrappers, filled with meat, and deep-fried. The golden skin is crisp, while the filling is fresh, fragrant, and juicy.
• Stinky Mandarin Fish: This representative Huizhou dish has a distinctive aroma and a savory, fresh taste. The firm fish flakes resemble garlic cloves and pair well with rice.

• Wushan Tribute Goose: With a thousand-year history as a tribute food, it is still prepared using a century-old braising recipe. The goose is tender and richly seasoned, and is a common and popular local cold dish.

• Kawang卡旺卡: A local Anhui milk-tea brand, it combines fresh milk with freshly brewed tea. It is also part of many Hefei residents’ childhood memories. One flavor option is “Black Full Set”; half sugar is a reasonable sweetness level.

• Zhanji Taosu: A well-known Hefei pastry shop. Its palace-style peach pastries are prized for their light, crumbly texture, while the honey cake and pork-floss cakes are also popular. They make good souvenirs for the return journey.

• Lei Street Snacks: This area brings together many local Anhui flavors, including Huainan beef soup, Fuyang juanmo rolls, spicy pepper soup, and crayfish. It is ideal for sampling several dishes in the evening.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to stay:
  • Prioritize the area around Swan Lake or the Government Affairs District: Hotels here tend to be newer and the surroundings better maintained. The area is near shopping centers such as MixC and Intime in77, served by Metro Lines 3 and 4, and convenient for enjoying the night view.
  • You can also choose Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street or Siwan: These areas are in the city center, close to the Li Hongzhang Former Residence and Xiaoyaojin, with concentrated dining and late-night food options. Facilities around some older residential compounds may be dated.
  • Location note: The area near the main entrance of the high-speed rail station can be noisy. Remote locations in Binhu New Area or the Xinzhan District are also not the first choice.
• Getting around:
  • Arriving and departing Hefei: For high-speed rail, Hefei South Railway Station is the preferred choice; flights use Xinqiao International Airport.
  • Getting around the city: You can connect the main sights by metro, using a day pass or a transit QR code. For areas not covered by the metro, consider shared electric scooters.
  • Getting to Sanhe Ancient Town: Take Metro Line 1 to Jiulianwei Station, then transfer to the Sanhe tourist shuttle. You can also take a taxi or drive from the city; the journey takes about 1 hour.

Travel Notes

• Reservations and opening hours: Popular attractions such as the Anhui Museum, Li Hongzhang Former Residence, and Baogong Park require advance reservations through official channels. The museum is usually closed on Mondays, so check when planning.
• Returning from the ancient town: Sanhe Ancient Town is far from the city. Buses run during the day but stop relatively early in the evening. If you plan to leave at night, reserve a vehicle in advance or arrange a private charter.
• Where to stay around Chaohu: Before booking a lake-view hotel, check the map to confirm that it is actually near Chaohu Lake. In some room descriptions, “lake view” may refer to an artificial lake within the hotel grounds.
• Dining and shopping times: Restaurants such as Luzhou Taitai and Zhanji Taosu may have long waits during meal peaks or holidays. Take a number in advance or visit during a quieter period.
• Weather and clothing: Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are generally best for visiting. Summers are hot and winters damp and cold. Check the forecast before leaving and bring rain gear.