Overview
Hefei sits near the geographic centre of eastern China and has served as the capital of Anhui Province for decades. Historically it was a modest market town, but since the early 2000s it has transformed into one of China's fastest-growing 'science cities', home to the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) and a growing cluster of technology firms and research institutes.
Despite its modern ambitions, Hefei preserves meaningful threads of older China. The city is the birthplace and memorial site of Bao Zheng (999–1062 CE), the Song-dynasty magistrate celebrated in Chinese folklore as an incorruptible judge — making the Bao Zheng Park and Memorial Temple genuine cultural landmarks rather than manufactured attractions.
Chao Lake, one of China's five largest freshwater lakes, lies on Hefei's southern doorstep and shapes the local ecology, cuisine, and leisure culture. The surrounding Anhui Province is home to some of China's most visited natural and cultural sites — Huangshan, Jiuhua Shan, and the Hongcun and Xidi villages — placing Hefei in a useful position as a regional staging point for travelers.
Before You Go
Visas
China's visa landscape changes periodically. For current entry requirements — including whether your nationality is eligible for any visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements — check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official website of the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country.
Health
No routine vaccinations are specifically required for Hefei, but standard travel immunisations (hepatitis A, typhoid) are commonly recommended for China. Tap water is generally not safe to drink; bottled or filtered water is widely available and inexpensive. Air quality in Hefei can deteriorate during winter months due to coal heating and atmospheric conditions — travelers with respiratory sensitivities may want to check an AQI app before travel.
Connectivity
China's internet is filtered. Services including Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and many Western news sites are inaccessible without a VPN. Download and configure a reliable VPN before you arrive, as many VPN websites are themselves blocked inside China. WeChat and Alipay are the dominant communication and payment platforms; setting these up before arrival significantly eases daily logistics.
Money
Cash (RMB) remains useful but mobile payment via WeChat Pay or Alipay is near-universal, even at small street stalls. Foreign-linked bank cards can be added to Alipay; verify this process before travel. ATMs at major banks generally accept international cards, though availability is not guaranteed everywhere.
Getting There
By Air
Hefei Xinqiao International Airport (HFE) serves the city with domestic connections to most major Chinese cities and a modest number of international routes, primarily to Southeast Asian destinations and some East Asian hubs. Travelers arriving from further afield typically connect through Shanghai, Beijing, or Guangzhou. Verify current routes and schedules directly with airlines, as these change seasonally.
By High-Speed Rail
Hefei is exceptionally well-connected by China's high-speed rail (HSR) network. The city has multiple rail stations — Hefei Station and Hefei South Station are the main ones — and sits on several HSR lines linking it to Shanghai (approximately 2–3 hours depending on service), Nanjing (under one hour), Beijing, Wuhan, and Hangzhou. Rail is often the most practical and comfortable option for regional travel.
By Road
Long-distance bus services connect Hefei to surrounding Anhui towns and cities. For most international visitors, rail and air are more practical.
Getting Around
Hefei has a metro system (subway) with several operating lines that cover key districts, rail stations, and some attractions. It is clean, inexpensive, and straightforward to navigate using maps apps such as Baidu Maps or (with VPN) Google Maps. Signs and announcements are in both Chinese and English at most stations.
Ride-hailing via Didi (China's dominant ride-hailing app) is convenient and generally affordable. Drivers rarely speak English, so having your destination written in Chinese characters is strongly recommended. Traditional taxis are also available.
Cycling infrastructure exists in parts of the city, and shared e-bikes and bicycles are available through local docking apps, though the interface is typically in Chinese.
For day trips to Chao Lake's shores or nearby towns, a mix of metro, bus, and Didi is usually sufficient. Car rental is possible but navigation and licensing requirements make it less practical for most visitors.
Things to See & Do
Bao Zheng Park and Memorial Temple
This park on the western shore of Bao River is the city's most distinctive cultural site. It honours Bao Zheng, the revered Song-dynasty official synonymous with impartial justice in Chinese literature and television drama. The complex includes a memorial hall, a tomb, and landscaped grounds. Verify current opening hours and admission fees locally or on the official city tourism platform before visiting.
Chao Lake
One of China's five largest freshwater lakes, Chao Lake offers boat trips, lakeside parks, and a window into local life beyond the city centre. The lake is especially scenic in spring and autumn. Freshwater fish and crabs from Chao Lake appear on menus across Hefei.
Li Hongzhang Former Residence
Li Hongzhang (1823–1901) was a major Qing-dynasty statesman born in Anhui. His family's ancestral home in central Hefei has been preserved and opened to the public, offering a layered look at late Qing architecture and history. Check locally for current visiting hours.
Xiaoyaojin Park
A well-maintained urban park in the city centre built around a site associated with the Three Kingdoms period (early 3rd century CE). It is a pleasant place to observe everyday Hefei life — retirees practicing tai chi, families strolling, and local vendors. Admission to the park grounds is typically free; verify conditions locally.
Science and Technology Museum
Hefei's identity as a science city is reflected in its museums. The Anhui Science and Technology Museum offers interactive exhibits suitable for families and curious visitors. Confirm opening hours before visiting.
Food & Drink
Anhui cuisine (one of China's eight recognised regional cuisines) is the culinary foundation of Hefei, though the city's modern character means you will also find restaurants specialising in Sichuan, Cantonese, Hunan, and international food.
What to Try
- Chao Lake fish and hairy crab — the lake's proximity makes freshwater seafood a genuine local speciality, particularly in autumn
- Li Hongzhang hodgepodge (Li Hongzhang zaguì) — a hearty mixed stew said to have historical connections to the Qing statesman, widely served in local restaurants
- Stinky tofu (chòu dòufu) — a common street snack with a pungent aroma that is more approachable than it sounds
- Anhui-style braised meats — slow-cooked preparations using soy, rock sugar, and aromatics are common across Anhui cooking
- Sesame oil duck — a cold dish found in Hefei and across Anhui
Street food is concentrated around night markets and near university areas. The Chenghuang Temple area and Luzhou Road are among the locally known spots for snacks and casual eating. Prices at street stalls and small local restaurants are modest; upscale dining is available but Hefei is not especially known for it.
Shopping
Hefei has a range of modern shopping malls concentrated in the newer districts of the city, stocking international and domestic brands. For visitors more interested in local goods, Huizhou-style crafts — including inkstones (She inkstone, one of China's Four Treasures of the Study), handmade paper, and ink sticks — are associated with Anhui Province broadly and can be found in speciality shops and some markets around the city.
Tea from southern Anhui, particularly Keemun black tea and various green teas grown in the Huangshan region, makes a practical and appreciated gift. Dedicated tea shops in the city centre can advise on varieties and packaging. As with most Chinese cities, bargaining is expected in markets but not in fixed-price shops or malls.
Practical Information
Emergency Numbers
Verify all emergency numbers locally on arrival. In China, the standard numbers widely published are: 110 (police), 120 (ambulance/medical), 119 (fire). Confirm these apply in Hefei and keep the contact details for your accommodation and nearest embassy or consulate on hand.
Language
English is spoken in limited contexts — some hotel front desks, airport staff, and occasionally younger residents in university areas. Outside these zones, Mandarin is essential. Translation apps (with downloaded offline packs) and having key phrases and destinations in Chinese characters are practical tools.
Medical
Hefei has public and private hospitals. Major public hospitals have international or foreigner-registration desks at some locations, though English-language service is not guaranteed. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended for all visitors to China.
Time and Business Hours
All of China operates on a single time zone (UTC+8), which can mean unusual sunrise and sunset times depending on the season. Government offices and many attractions typically follow standard weekday hours; verify specifics locally. National holidays (especially Golden Week in early October and late January/early February for Lunar New Year) bring significantly increased domestic tourism and crowding.
Safety
Hefei is generally considered a safe city for visitors. Violent crime directed at tourists is uncommon. Standard urban precautions apply: be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas, keep valuables secured, and use reputable transport services.
Scams targeting foreign visitors can occur in larger Chinese cities, typically involving overly friendly strangers who invite tourists to tea houses or art galleries where inflated bills follow. Politely declining unsolicited invitations to such venues is advisable.
Traffic in Chinese cities can be aggressive; pedestrians should not assume right-of-way even at marked crossings. Electric scooters often travel silently and quickly on footpaths and in traffic.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Hefei, like much of Anhui Province, carries strong connections to Confucian scholarly traditions. The province historically produced many imperial examination scholars, and this legacy of valuing education persists — Hefei's identity as a science and university city feels culturally continuous with older traditions.
The figure of Bao Zheng looms large in local cultural consciousness. His association with moral integrity and fair governance is taken seriously as a point of civic pride, and visitors who engage respectfully with this heritage will find locals appreciative.
As in all of China, a few cultural courtesies ease interactions: receiving business cards or gifts with two hands is respectful; public confrontation or raised voices causes significant social discomfort; and complimenting the food is generally welcomed. Tipping is not customary in standard restaurants or taxis.
The Lunar New Year period transforms the city — extended family gatherings, fireworks (where permitted), and large-scale public celebrations are the norm. Visiting during this period offers authentic cultural immersion but requires careful advance planning for accommodation and transport.