Hefei

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Hefei, Anhui, China

Hefei Grand Theatre3, Hefei, Anhui, China

Skylines of Hefei at Tianehu, Hefei, Anhui, China

包公园内的浮莊1, Hefei, Anhui, China

包拯历史文化园内景色 panoramio, Hefei, Anhui, China

About Hefei

Hefei likes to call itself the hometown of Lord Bao, the incorruptible Song-dynasty judge whose temple and tomb still draw visitors, yet the capital of Anhui is just as proud of its laboratories. Home to the University of Science and Technology of China and a busy hub for electric cars and chips, it has grown into one of China's fastest-rising cities, with more than nine million people in its wider administrative area.

History runs deep here. In 215 the general Zhang Liao held the city against Sun Quan at the ford of Xiaoyao, a battle told in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and the late Qing statesman Li Hongzhang was born nearby. The old town is ringed by a green belt of parks that follows the line of the former walls.

Visitors can trace that past at Baogong Park, Xiaoyaojin Park and Li Hongzhang's former residence, then see the modern city around Swan Lake with its grand theatre and the Anhui Museum. Chao Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in China, lies to the south, and the canal town of Sanhe makes an easy day trip.

Best seasonApril to May and September to November, avoiding the hot, humid summer and the damp chill of winter.

Ideal stayTwo days for the old town, Swan Lake and the museum, plus a day trip to Chao Lake or Sanhe Ancient Town.

ArrivingHefei Xinqiao International Airport lies northwest of the city; Hefei South station is a major high-speed rail hub with trains to Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing.

Your Hefei Bucket List: 12 Top Picks

History 3

Baogong Park, Hefei, Anhui, China

Baogong Park

Along the old moat south of the city centre, this park honours Bao Zheng, the Northern Song official born near Hefei whose fairnes...

Former Residence of Li Hongzhang, Hefei, Anhui, China

Former Residence of Li Hongzhang

On Huaihe Road in the heart of the old town, this restored mansion belonged to Li Hongzhang, the powerful late Qing statesman and...

Sanhe Ancient Town

In Feixi County south of the city, Sanhe is a canal town of stone bridges, whitewashed houses and narrow lanes where three rivers...

Parks 2

Xiaoyaojin Park, Hefei, Anhui, China

Xiaoyaojin Park

In 215, the general Zhang Liao routed the army of Sun Quan at the ford of Xiaoyao, one of the famous episodes of the Three Kingdom...

Hefei Botanical Garden

Near Dashushan in the west of the city, the botanical garden spreads over gentle slopes beside a lake, with plum and peach groves,...

Museums 1

Anhui Museum, Hefei, Anhui, China

Anhui Museum

The provincial museum's modern building in the Zhengwu district tells the story of Anhui from prehistory onwards, with ancient bro...

Landmarks 1

Swan Lake, Hefei, Hefei, Anhui, China

Swan Lake, Hefei

Surrounded by government buildings, museums and the grand theatre, this landscaped lake is the showpiece of the Zhengwu district a...

Arts 1

Hefei Grand Theatre, Hefei, Anhui, China

Hefei Grand Theatre

On the shore of Swan Lake, this performing arts complex is one of the city's architectural landmarks, a striking modern building t...

Nature 2

Chao Lake, Hefei, Anhui, China

Chao Lake

South of the city spreads Chao Lake, one of the five largest freshwater lakes in China. Its northern shore near Hefei has been tur...

Dashushan National Forest Park, Hefei, Anhui, China

Dashushan National Forest Park

Rising on the western edge of the city, Dashushan is a forested hill crossed by stairways and shady trails, with a television towe...

Shopping 1

Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street, Hefei, Anhui, China

Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street

Hefei's best-known shopping street runs through the old town, mixing department stores and brand shops with snack stalls and old b...

Temples 1

Mingjiao Temple, Hefei, Anhui, China

Mingjiao Temple

In the old town near Huaihe Road, this Buddhist temple sits on a raised platform known as Jiaonu Terrace, where the warlord Cao Ca...

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