Chaohu Lake, Anhui cuisine, a science-and-tech hub and the base for Huangshan trips.
Hefei is the fast-growing capital of Anhui, a lake-and-university city that is also a gateway to the province's headline sights — Huangshan, Hongcun and the Huizhou old towns are all within a few hours.
It has its own draws: the big Chaohu Lake to the south, the patriotic Lord Bao's Temple, and a low-key café scene built around the campuses.
Here are the highlights worth your time in Hefei.
One of China's five fresh-water lakes, 1 h south — beaches, islands and sunsets.
Free; ferries to islands ¥40A riverside shrine to the upright Song official Bao Zheng, with a small garden.
Tickets ¥50 (combined with the memorial)A central lake park on a famous Three-Kingdoms battle site.
FreeHuizhou furniture, bronze and the province's best relics under one roof.
Free (ID)A canal town of Ming–Qing lanes, 1 h out, good for a half day.
Free to enter; some halls ¥20A park of mini Huizhou courtyards showcasing the province's architecture.
Tickets ¥30Hefei has its own kitchen — here are the dishes to try.
Earthy, braised Huizhou cooking — try bamboo shoot with pork or stinky mandarin fish.
Duck-fat noodles, a local slurp.
Steamed buns from the park-area breakfast shops.
Lake silver fish, lightly fried or in soup.
Fried skewers — the student-quarter late snack.
The new district's lit lakefront with bars and malls.
Cheap skewers and bubble tea near the universities.
Low-key live music in the centre.
Hefei Xinqiao (HFE) has wide domestic flights.
High-speed from Shanghai (~3 h), Nanjing (~1 h), Hangzhou (~2.5 h).
Lines 1–5, bilingual, covers lake and stations.
To Chaohu and Sanhe; Huangshan needs a longer trip.
Works with foreign cards.
Where you stay shapes the trip. Three good bases:
Most hotels, walk to parks and food.
Newer district, malls and quiet.
Lake resorts 1 h south for a slow night.
Business visitors, lake travellers, Anhui road-trippers.
