I've Been to Hefei 5 Times, Here's My Travel Guide

Hello everyone👋! Just returned from Hefei! This city full of vibrant life and cultural heritage has surprises everywhere in April~ The ancient charm of Bao Gong Temple, the shimmering waves of Chaohu Lake, the delicious food in every street and alley... every moment makes you want to savor it again and again! Quickly save this guide to help you explore Hefei~

📍 Hefei, formerly known as Luzhou, is the capital of Anhui Province, and a treasure city where ancient and modern blend🌟! Here you'll find historical sites like Bao Gong Temple and Li Hongzhang's Former Residence that tell stories of a thousand years; as well as trendy landmarks like Lai Street and Hechai 1972. In April, Hefei's magnolias and cherry blossoms bloom, the City Ring Park is lush with greenery, and walking through it, you can feel the unique gentleness and vitality of this city~

✈️ Transportation Guide
✈️ By Air: After landing at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, you can take the airport shuttle bus or subway Line S1 directly to downtown, about 40 minutes; taking a taxi is also convenient, especially if you have lots of luggage~
🚄 By High-Speed Rail: Hefei South Station and Hefei Station have numerous trains, only 1-2 hours from Shanghai or Nanjing! Subway and bus connections are seamless after exiting the station🚍.
🚗 By Car: Perfect for driving from nearby cities! Parking is convenient in the city, but some roads get congested during rush hours, so try to avoid peak times~

🗺 Recommended Routes
Day 1: History and Culture Tour
Bao Gong Temple → Li Hongzhang's Former Residence → Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street
Visit Bao Gong Temple in the morning to experience the legendary story of "Justice Bao"! Have a bowl of Wushan Tribute Goose for lunch nearby, then explore Li Hongzhang's Former Residence in the afternoon to see the exquisite Hui-style architecture. Head straight to Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street in the evening when the neon lights come on and food stalls fill the air with delicious aromas~

Day 2: Nature and Leisure
Chaohu Lake → Anshang Prairie → Changling River Ancient Town
Head to Chaohu Lake early, take a boat ride to see the vast waters🌊! Try Chaohu silver fish with scrambled eggs for lunch, then go to Anshang Prairie for camping and photos - every casual shot looks Instagram-worthy~ In the evening, stroll through Changling River Ancient Town to experience the tranquility of the old street~

Day 3: Trendy Spots and Return Journey
Hechai 1972 → Lai Street → Return Journey
Explore the "prison-converted" art park at Hechai 1972, check out various creative exhibitions📸! Have crayfish and rice wine at Lai Street for lunch, then buy some Zhan Ji walnut cookies as souvenirs in the afternoon for a perfect end to your trip~

📌 Practical Tips
🎫 Tickets: Bao Gong Temple and Li Hongzhang's Former Residence cost 20-30 yuan, Hechai 1972 is free! Buy tickets in advance on the platform to avoid queues~
⏰ Timing: Recommend afternoon boat tours on Chaohu Lake for beautiful sunsets; Lai Street gets lively after 18:00~
📸 Photography: Vintage style outfits look great at Hechai 1972, and light-colored long dresses create a perfect atmosphere by Chaohu Lake!

🍜 Food Recommendations
1️⃣ Wushan Tribute Goose: Tender goose meat, flavorful braised sauce, savory but not greasy, perfect with a bowl of rice! Must visit the original Wushan Tribute Goose restaurant~
2️⃣ Xiatang Baked Flatbread: Crispy pastry wrapped around fresh meat filling, baked golden and fragrant, makes a "crunch" sound when you bite! Available at roadside stalls~
3️⃣ Sanhe Rice Dumplings: Crispy outside with tender pork and tofu filling, dip in chili sauce - so delicious it'll make you stamp your feet!
4️⃣ Free-range Chicken Soup: Slow-cooked with free-range chicken, rich white broth, tender chicken meat, warms the stomach and nourishes the body~
5️⃣ Luzhou Roast Duck: Crispy skin and tender meat, served with thin pancakes and shredded green onions, dipped in sweet bean sauce - heavenly in one bite!
6️⃣ Zhan Ji Walnut Cookies: Freshly baked cookies so fragrant they crumble, moderately sweet, extremely popular as souvenirs~

⚠️ Tips
1️⃣ It occasionally rains in Hefei in April🌧️, bring an umbrella that works for both rain and sun protection~
2️⃣ It's windy around Chaohu Lake, bring a light jacket to avoid catching cold!
3️⃣ Lai Street has lots of food options, go on an empty stomach, and it's more economical to go with friends to try more dishes~
4️⃣ Some exhibitions at Hechai 1972 require reservations, check their official WeChat account in advance~

Everyone, Hefei's charm is truly worth experiencing in person! Save this guide and get going~💖