Anhui
Anhui Province is located in eastern China, with Hefei as the capital. It is bordered by the provinces of Jiangsu to the northeast, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, and Hubei and Henan to the west, spanning across the Yangtze River and Huai River basins. Anhui marks the division between North China and South China.
Despite being one of the smallest provinces in China, Anhui boasts diverse landscapes, including vast plains, sprawling lakes, and high mountain peaks, and is home to numerous precious natural attractions.
Huangshan, also recognized as Yellow Mountains, is an emblem of the Chinese terrain and a symbol of Anhui Province. Situated in Huangshan City, it is renowned for its magnificent pines, steep rocks, enchanting cloud sea, and thermal springs. Additionally, it has earned recognition as a world heritage.
In addition to its stunning natural scenery, Anhui Province boasts well-maintained historical relics, including the Hongcun and Xidi Villages. Located at the southern base of the Yellow Mountains, these villages were constructed in the Ming and Qing dynastic styles and exhibit the distinctive lifestyle and architecture of the province.
The Xidi and Hongcun Villages in Yi County have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List and represent the finest illustration of Anhui-style architecture.
Useful Information
Area: 140 100 km²
Average annual temperature: 14-17°C
Geography: located in eastern China, spanning across the Yangtze River and Huai River basins.
Population: 61 000 000 habs. (2020)
Minorities: Hui, Man, She, etc.,
Altitude: 119m
Economy: Agriculture, Mining, Processing Industry, etc.
Image source: cielchine.com
How to get to Anhui
By plane
Anhui Province has several airports in major cities such as Hefei, Huangshan, Anqing, Fuyang, Wuhu, and Bengbu.
Hefei Xinqiao International Airport is about 31.8 km (20 miles) from the city center. It is a crucial airport that connects the city to many domestic and international destinations, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Kunming, Hangzhou, Guilin, Sanya, Chengdu, and Hong Kong. Additionally, the airport offers international flights to cities like Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, Cheju, and Frankfurt.
By train
Traveling by train is another viable option for those heading to Hefei. Some trains connect to major cities across China, including Shanghai, Xi’an, Wuhan, Beijing, and Nanjing. For instance, the trip from Shanghai to Hefei takes around 3 hours. You can buy the ticket on Trip.com, and you can also contact us if you need help.
When to go to Anhui
The best time to visit Anhui province is Spring (from April to June) and Autumn (from September to November). Anhui Province has a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and cold and dry winters. The average annual temperature ranges from 14°C to 17°C. Nonetheless, for those who love snow, it’s recommended to visit during winter (from December to February) when Huangshan’s snowy landscape is particularly enchanting. This season is also less crowded, making it an excellent time to admire the snowy mountains.
Anhui Gastronomy
Anhui cuisine is one of the eight Chinese cuisines culinary traditions of China that originated more than 1,000 years ago in Huizhou. Hui merchants would prepare a table of their hometown’s dishes for their guests, for business, socializing, or a friend’s gathering, to show their respect.
The cuisine of Anhui is a blend of the local cuisines from the Yangtze River and Huai River regions. The primary ingredients are sourced from the wild, as Anhui has vast uncultivated fields and forests, making wild herbs readily available for the region’s cuisine. The most frequently used cooking techniques in Hui cuisine include braising, stewing, and steaming, with frying and stir-frying being much less common than other Chinese culinary traditions.
Famous local specialties cuisine:
Li Hongzhang Hotchpotch: This popular dish is named after one of Anhui’s famous politicians Li Hongzhang. It is made by stewing various ingredients, including chicken, sea cucumbers, ham, mushrooms, squid, and assorted vegetables.
Pickled Mandarin Fish: The fresh mandarin fish is marinated in salt and braised in soy sauce with bamboo shoot pieces as ingredients. Although it may have a pungent odor, it is tender and delicious.
Fried Hairy Tofu: Hairy Tofu is a variety of Tofu that develops a layer of white “hair” during fermentation. It is typically fried and seasoned before being served.
Wenzheng Mountain Bamboo Shoots: The Bamboo shoots from Wenzheng Mountain in southern Anhui cooked with dried mushrooms and sausage.
Stewed turtle with ham: A combination of a whole soft-shell turtle, pork, ham, and bamboo shoots are slow-cooked together in a pot.
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