Welcome to beautiful Hefei! Explore Hefei for 5 days and 4 nights with a budget of 2000 RMB per person! Visit Bao Park, Sanhe Ancient Town, Anhui Museum, Chaohu Lake sunset, Binhu Wetland, and more.

Welcome to beautiful Hefei!
Explore Hefei for 5 days and 4 nights with a budget of 2000 RMB per person! Visit Bao Park, Sanhe Ancient Town, Anhui Museum, Chaohu Lake sunset, Binhu Wetland, etc.
Let's take you into Hefei, the capital of Anhui – an underestimated "Pearl of Jianghuai." It's not just a city of science and education (USTC, Science Island), but also a livable city with history, lake views, and a vibrant local atmosphere. With 5 days and 4 nights and a 2000 RMB budget, we'll take you from the high-speed rail station to tour urban cultural landmarks, delve into a thousand-year-old water town, embrace the grandeur of the 800-li Chaohu Lake, and savor authentic Huizhou flavors and Jianghuai snacks.📍 Itinerary Overview:
- Duration: 5 days and 4 nights
- Budget: 2000 RMB per person (including round-trip transportation, accommodation, tickets, and dining)
- Recommended Departure Cities: Shanghai / Hangzhou / Nanjing / Wuhan (convenient high-speed rail access)
- Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Hefei South Railway Station → Bao Park → Anhui Museum → Check into Swan Lake Business District
Day 2: Sanhe Ancient Town Day Trip → Night Tour of Old Street Lantern Festival → Check into Ancient Town B&B
Day 3: Chaohu Zhongmiao Temple - Laishan Island → Binhu National Forest Park → Chaohu Lake Sunset
Day 4: Science Island (Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences) → Four Seasons Flower Sea + Xiaoyaojin Park → City Night View
Day 5: Lei Street Morning Market + Souvenir Shopping → Return Journey.

Day 1: First Encounter with Hefei | Bao Zheng's Hometown, Huizhou Charm Begins
🚄 Starting Point: Nanjing South Railway Station → Hefei South Railway Station (High-speed rail second-class seat approx. 100 RMB, 1 hour 20 minutes travel time). After exiting the station, take Metro Line 1 directly to the city center (approx. 8 RMB), or take a taxi to a hotel near Swan Lake (approx. 20 RMB).
📍 Morning: Bao Park (Free admission, optional joint ticket for internal small attractions 30 RMB). Built to commemorate Bao Zheng, an upright official of the Northern Song Dynasty, it integrates gardens, ancient architecture, and culture. Must-visit:
- Bao Gong Ancestral Temple (learn about "Justice Bao's" life)
- Lianquan Well (legend says corrupt officials get headaches after drinking from it)
- Fuzhuang (a small island in the lake, like an ink painting)
📍 Afternoon: Anhui Museum (New Building) (Free, requires advance reservation via official WeChat account). A national first-class museum with many treasures:
- Chu Great Ding (China's second-largest bronze ding)
- King Wu's Sword (chillingly bright, rust-free for a thousand years)
- Huizhou ancient architecture models, Exhibition of the Four Treasures of the Study.
It is recommended to hire a tour guide (60 RMB/group) or rent an audio guide (20 RMB) for a full cultural immersion.
🍜 Dinner: Ningguo Road Crayfish Street. A must-eat in summer! Recommended: Thirteen Spice Crayfish (88 RMB/jin), grilled squid, iced beer. Average cost per person: 70 RMB.
🏨 Accommodation: Economy hotel in Swan Lake Business District (e.g., Ji Hotel, Atour Lite). Convenient transportation, quiet environment, shared double room approx. 160 RMB/person.
✅ Daily Cost: Transportation 130 + Tickets 30 + Dining 70 + Accommodation 160 = 390 RMB.

Day 2: Through a Thousand Years | Sanhe Ancient Town Water Dream
📍 Morning: Hefei South Railway Station Bus 601 or taxi → Sanhe Ancient Town (1 hour travel time, bus 4 RMB, shared taxi approx. 60 RMB/person). A national 5A-level scenic spot, named for the confluence of "Fengle River, Hangbu River, and Xiaonan River." Huizhou architecture + Jiangnan water town + Jianghuai folk customs, more down-to-earth than Hongcun! Must-play:
- Wannian Stage: Ancient opera stage, with Luju Opera performances every morning (free).
- Yang Zhenning's Former Residence: The childhood home of the Nobel laureate.
- Liu Tongxinglongzhuang: Late Qing Dynasty commercial site, learn about the ancient town's commercial history.
- Quezhu Covered Bridge: Most beautiful at night, red lanterns reflected in the water.
🍜 Lunch: Lingjiatan Local Cuisine Restaurant, an old brand in the ancient town. Recommended: Sanhe Rice Dumplings (3 RMB/each), stir-fried river shrimp, steamed egg dumplings. Average cost per person: 40 RMB.
📍 Afternoon: Free exploration: Take a wupeng boat (30 RMB/person), experience making Ciba (20 RMB), buy Sanhe Shortbread (10 RMB/bag).
🏨 Accommodation: Characteristic B&B within Sanhe Ancient Town (waterside room). Carved wooden windows, open the window to see the water. Shared room in off-season approx. 180 RMB/person.
🌌 Night Tour: Ancient Town Lantern Festival & Lantern Wishing (free admission until 21:00).
✅ Daily Cost: Transportation 120 + Tickets 30 (boat + experience) + Dining 60 + Accommodation 180 = 390 RMB.

Day 3: Embrace Chaohu Lake | Lake and Mountain Scenery, Romantic Sunset
📍 Morning: Take a taxi to Zhongmiao Temple - Laishan Island Scenic Area (approx. 1.5 hours from Sanhe, shared taxi approx. 80 RMB/person).
📍 Take a boat to the island: Laishan Island (boat ticket + entrance ticket joint ticket 90 RMB, round trip). The only island in the center of the 800-li Chaohu Lake, known as "Penglai in the lake." Must-visit on the island:
- Wenfeng Pagoda (Ming Dynasty ancient pagoda, climb to the top for a panoramic view of Chaohu Lake).
- Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Ancient Camp Site.
- Stroll along the lakeside boardwalk, listen to the waves crashing on rocks 🌊.
🍜 Lunch: Farmhouse restaurant on the island. Recommended: Steamed egg with silverfish, stir-fried white shrimp with chives, Chaohu fish head soup. Average cost per person: 50 RMB.
📍 Afternoon: Return to mainland → Binhu National Forest Park (free). East China's largest urban wetland park, a cycling paradise! Rent a bicycle (tandem bike 30 RMB/hour), cycle along the lakeside road, with reeds swaying and egrets flying.
🌅 Evening: Chaohu Lake shoreline sunset viewing platform (near Changlinhe Ancient Town). Recommended spots: at the foot of "Siding Mountain" or the "Lakeside Avenue" viewing platform. The sunset glow on the lake is extremely romantic.
🏨 Accommodation: Hotel in Binhu New Area (near Metro Line 1). Quiet and comfortable, convenient for next day's travel. Shared room approx. 160 RMB/person.
✅ Daily Cost: Transportation 180 (round-trip taxi + boat) + Tickets 90 + Dining 50 + Accommodation 160 = 480 RMB.

Day 4: Fusion of Technology and Nature | Science Island + City's Green Lung
📍 Morning: Bus 30 → Dongpu Reservoir → Walk to Science Island (Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences). Requires real-name reservation in advance via "Science Island Visit Reservation" official WeChat account (free, limited capacity). This is where the "Artificial Sun" EAST is located! Visit content:
- Science Popularization Exhibition Hall (models of nuclear fusion, strong magnetic field devices).
- Island Ecological Trail (deep and quiet forest, morning jogging spot for researchers).
- Distant view of the "Fully Superconducting Tokamak" device (external viewing).
⚠️ Note: Core laboratories are not open to the public, but the science popularization exhibition is impressive enough!
🍜 Lunch: Farmhouse restaurant outside the island or return to the city for Huizhou cuisine. Recommended: Huizhou Stinky Mandarin Fish + Braised Pork with Dried Bamboo Shoots. Average cost per person: 60 RMB.
📍 Afternoon: Four Seasons Flower Sea City Park (free). Flowers in all seasons, rapeseed flowers in spring and pink muhly grass in autumn are super beautiful! Suitable for photos and picnics.
📍 Evening: Xiaoyaojin Park (free). Hefei's oldest park, site of an ancient Three Kingdoms battlefield. Visit the Zhang Liao statue, Jiushi Bridge, watch locals singing Huangmei Opera and dancing square dance, and feel the local life.
🌃 Night: Golden Eagle World or Intime City for shopping + City Light Show.
🏨 Accommodation: Continue staying at the same hotel, 160 RMB/person.
✅ Daily Cost: Transportation 40 + Dining 60 + Accommodation 160 = 260 RMB.

Day 5: City's End | Lei Street Morning Market + Return Journey
📍 Early Morning: Visit Lei Street Morning Market (7:00-9:00 is the busiest). Hefei's most vibrant cultural and creative block. The morning market offers:
- Beef Soup + Flaky Sesame Cake (10 RMB set meal).
- Sanhe Rice Dumplings, Huangshan Sesame Cake, Chaohu Dried Silverfish.
- Handmade Dried Tofu, Huimo Shortbread, Hefei cultural and creative refrigerator magnets.
📍 Souvenir Shopping (within 100 RMB budget): Sanhe Shortbread (20 RMB/box) - Chaohu Dried Silverfish (50 RMB/bag) - Anhui Museum cultural and creative products (Tongguan Seal Bookmark, Bao Gong Face Mask Keychain).
Return by high-speed rail from [Hefei South Railway Station] before 13:00 (ticket approx. 100 RMB).
✅ Daily Cost: Transportation 110 (city + high-speed rail) + Dining 20 + Souvenirs 100 = 230 RMB.

💰 Total Cost Summary (per person):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Transportation (round-trip high-speed rail + city bus/taxi) | 100×2 + 8 + 60 + 80 + 40 + 110 = 498 RMB |
| Accommodation (4 nights, shared room) | 160 × 4 = 640 RMB |
| Tickets & Experiences | 30 + 90 + 30 (boat) + 20 (making Ciba) = 170 RMB |
| Dining (5 days) | 70 + 40 + 50 + 60 + 20 = 240 RMB |
| Contingency & Small Transportation & Drinks | 200 RMB |
| Souvenirs | 100 RMB |
| ✅ Total: | 1848 RMB! Well below the 2000 RMB budget, leaving more room for flexibility! |

Thoughtful Service Tips:
1. Book in advance: Anhui Museum and Science Island require reservations via their official WeChat accounts. It is recommended to do this 3 days in advance.
2. Best season: Spring and Autumn (March-May, September-November), pleasant climate, and flower seas in full bloom.
3. Few student discounts, but some scenic spots (like Laishan Island) still offer discounts, you can inquire...
Wish you a pleasant journey!