Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province, is a treasure trove in central Anhui adjacent to the Yangtze River Delta. It blends cutting-edge technology with profound history, serves as the hometown of the renowned upright official Bao Zheng, and stands as a paradise for Huizhou cuisine. Accessible by air or high-speed rail, most of its major attractions are reachable directly by metro. The best time to visit is from March to May or September to November, when the weather is pleasantly mild for sightseeing.
The City’s Cultural Core: A Unique Blend of “Tech Hub + Historic Old Town”
Hefei’s vibe is like a fascinating collision between a high-tech Silicon Valley and a millennia-old European city. It houses the Science Island and Quantum Research Center, facilities on par with Silicon Valley labs, brimming with frontier innovation and attracting young talents worldwide. Meanwhile, it shares the allure of historic European towns like Siena in Italy and Carcassonne in France, boasting untapped historical heritage. The legends of the Three Kingdoms ancient battlefield and the integrity embodied in Bao Zheng culture add a warm, profound touch to the city’s modern tech vibe, much like ancient castles and cathedrals do in European old towns.
Must-Visit Attractions: Central Anhui’s Hidden Gems Comparable to International Hotspots
Sanhe Ancient Town: It feels like a miniature “Oriental Venice”. Its flagstone streets resemble lanes in Italian towns, with ancient bridges reflected on the river surface and well-arranged Huizhou-style residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The hustle and bustle of street vendors mingles with the sound of flowing water, giving it a more down-to-earth charm than Venice.
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Bao Zheng Park: This is just like a “Chinese-style memorial park for sages”. Its red walls and black-tiled buildings are reminiscent of European sacred sites. The stories behind Bao Zheng Temple and Bao Zheng’s Mausoleum are as legendary as those in the former residences of European celebrities. A visit here fills you with reverence, and it offers the unique appeal of Chinese integrity culture that sets it apart from overseas attractions.
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Anhui Museum: It can be called the “Anhui version of the Louvre”. Its collection of Shang and Zhou bronze artifacts and Huizhou-style paintings and calligraphy are like the artistic treasures of the Louvre, systematically showcasing Anhui’s thousand-year cultural heritage. You can experience a cross-temporal cultural shock without going abroad.
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Xiaoyaojin Park: It is like a “Chinese-style Central Park”. The towering ancient trees evoke the natural ambiance of New York’s Central Park, and its historical background as a Three Kingdoms battlefield adds an intriguing layer of stories that ordinary urban parks lack.
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Food Guide: A Feast of Huizhou Flavors Comparable to an International Food Street
Huizhou Signature Dishes
Stinky Mandarin Fish: It’s like “Chinese blue cheese”. It has a distinctive smell but tastes fresh, fragrant and chewy. Its fermented flavor layers are on par with European fermented delicacies.
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Hairy Tofu: This is like the “Huizhou-style stinky tofu version of cheese”. Pan-fried until golden and served with dipping sauce, it has a crispy exterior and tender interior, rivaling fried street snacks from abroad.
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Local Specialties
Luzhou Roast Duck: It’s a “Chinese-style crispy duck”. With thin, crispy skin and juicy meat, it is wrapped in pancakes, a creative way of eating similar to Mexican tacos, and the sweet bean sauce adds a unique Chinese flavor.
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Sanhe Rice Dumplings: These are “Huizhou-style fried dumplings”. With a crispy crust and a juicy, filling interior, each bite bursts with flavor, offering the same satisfying taste as Italian fried dumplings.
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Local Snacks
Huainan Beef Soup: It’s like a “Chinese-style hearty noodle soup”. The rich, spicy and mellow soup base served with vermicelli and sesame seed cakes warms you up and satisfies your cravings, just as comforting as Vietnamese pho.
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Wushan Tribute Goose: This is the “Huizhou-style braised version of ham”. With a strong braised aroma and firm meat, it has a salty, savory and sweet aftertaste when eaten with dipping sauce, making it a perfect wine appetizer comparable to Spanish Iberian ham.
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Practical Information
- Transportation: The metro can take you to all major downtown attractions. Getting to Sanhe Ancient Town, like traveling to a suburban town, takes just 1 hour by bus or tourist shuttle, which is more convenient than intercity travel abroad.
- Food Streets: Leijie Street and Guanting Road are equivalent to “Hefei’s food markets”. They gather local specialties and internet-famous snacks with high cost-effectiveness, bustling with activity just like Southeast Asian night markets.
- Reservations: Anhui Museum and Bao Zheng Park require advance reservations via their official WeChat accounts. Some areas of Science Island have specific visiting regulations, similar to the reservation rules for popular overseas attractions.
- Taste Notes: Huizhou cuisine is generally salty, savory and slightly spicy. If you can’t handle spicy food, you can ask the chef to go easy on the chili, just as conveniently as specifying dietary preferences in a foreign restaurant.
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