Anhui is an inland province in eastern China, best known for the granite peaks of Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), the UNESCO-listed Huizhou villages of Hongcun and Xidi, and the Buddhist mountain of Jiuhua Shan. Its capital and largest city is Hefei. Anhui is the home of Hui cuisine, Xuan paper and Hui ink, and some of China's most famous teas. It has no sea coast, but the Yangtze River, Chaohu Lake and Taiping Lake give it plenty of waterfront.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Anhui.
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1
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) (黄山)
UNESCO World Heritage mountain (1990) famed for granite peaks, twisted Huangshan pines, hot springs and the sea of clouds; classic routes climb the Eastern or Western Steps or ride cable cars from Yungu, Taiping or Yuping stations.
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2
Hongcun Ancient Village (宏村)
UNESCO-listed Huizhou village (2000) laid out in the shape of an ox, with a water system running through the lanes to the Moon Pond and South Lake; Ming and Qing merchant houses such as Chengzhi Hall.
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3
Xidi Ancient Village (西递)
Companion UNESCO village of Hongcun known for its Ming and Qing residences, carved lintels, stone archway and narrow lanes with water channels.
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4
Jiuhua Mountain (九华山)
One of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, dedicated to the bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, with dozens of active temples including Huacheng Temple and Baisui Palace.
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5
Tianzhu Mountain (天柱山)
UNESCO Global Geopark and 5A scenic area with granite peaks, caves and ancient pines.
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6
Tunxi Old Street (屯溪老街)
Pedestrian street of Ming and Qing style shops in Tunxi selling the Four Treasures of the Study, tea, Hui ink and She inkstones, with local Hui snack stalls.
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7
Taiping Lake (太平湖)
Large reservoir lake below Huangshan with islands, bridges and boat trips; a main freshwater lakeshore escape in the province.
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8
Chaohu Lake (巢湖)
China's fifth-largest freshwater lake; the Binhu (Lakeside) district and Zhongmiao Temple areas offer promenades, birdwatching and sunset views. The province has no sea coast; Chaohu is the main large-lake shore visit.
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9
Baogong Park (包公园)
Park honouring Song dynasty official Bao Zheng (Lord Bao), comprising the Baogong Ancestral Hall, tomb, Qingfeng Pavilion and lake gardens.
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10
Sanhe Ancient Town (三河古镇)
Water town of Ming and Qing streets on the river network, known for small inns, Taiping Rebellion history and river snacks.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Baogong Park (包公园)
Park honouring Song dynasty official Bao Zheng (Lord Bao), comprising the Baogong Ancestral Hall, tomb, Qingfeng Pavilion and lake gardens.
Xiaoyaojin Park (逍遥津公园)
Historic city park at the site of the Three Kingdoms Battle of Xiaoyaojin, with a lake, bridge and memorial sites in central Hefei.
Caishiji Scenic Area (采石矶)
Cliff promontory on the Yangtze famed as a Li Bai memorial site with Taibai Tower and Three Immortals Hall.
Tangyue Memorial Archways (棠樾牌坊群)
Row of seven stone archways from the Ming and Qing dynasties honouring loyalty, filial piety and chastity
Mountains
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) (黄山)
UNESCO World Heritage mountain (1990) famed for granite peaks, twisted Huangshan pines, hot springs and the sea of clouds
Jiuhua Mountain (九华山)
One of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, dedicated to the bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, with dozens of active temples including Huacheng Te
Tianzhu Mountain (天柱山)
UNESCO Global Geopark and 5A scenic area with granite peaks, caves and ancient pines.
Langya Mountain and Zuiweng Pavilion (琅琊山醉翁亭)
Forested hills west of Chuzhou with Zuiweng Pavilion, built in the Song dynasty and made famous by Ouyang Xiu's essay "The Old Drunkard's Pa
Jingting Mountain (敬亭山)
Low mountain immortalised in Li Bai's poem "Sitting Alone Facing Jingting Mountain" with tea gardens and poets' trails.
Qiyun Mountain (齐云山)
Danxia-landform mountain and one of China's four Taoist holy mountains, with cliff temples and cave shrines.
Villages
Hongcun Ancient Village (宏村)
UNESCO-listed Huizhou village (2000) laid out in the shape of an ox, with a water system running through the lanes to the Moon Pond and Sout
Xidi Ancient Village (西递)
Companion UNESCO village of Hongcun known for its Ming and Qing residences, carved lintels, stone archway and narrow lanes with water channe
Tunxi Old Street (屯溪老街)
Pedestrian street of Ming and Qing style shops in Tunxi selling the Four Treasures of the Study, tea, Hui ink and She inkstones, with local
Sanhe Ancient Town (三河古镇)
Water town of Ming and Qing streets on the river network, known for small inns, Taiping Rebellion history and river snacks.
Huizhou Ancient City (徽州古城)
Walled Ming and Qing city, once the capital of Huizhou prefecture, containing the Xu Guo Stone Archway and merchants' residences.
Lakes
Taiping Lake (太平湖)
Large reservoir lake below Huangshan with islands, bridges and boat trips
Chaohu Lake (巢湖)
China's fifth-largest freshwater lake
Wuhu Yangtze Riverfront (芜湖江滨)
Riverside promenade along the Yangtze below the Wuhu Yangtze River Bridge for walking, cycling and evening lights. Anhui has no sea coast
Museums
Anhui Museum (安徽博物院)
Provincial museum with Shang and Zhou bronzes, Chu coins, Han stone reliefs and works by painter Pan Yuliang.
China Xuan Paper Culture Park (中国宣纸文化园)
Living workshop and museum for Xuan paper, one of the Four Treasures of the Study, showing bark pulping, sheet lifting and drying.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most scenic areas open 7:00AM-5:30PM daily; museums are usually closed on Mondays
- Fees
- Huangshan CNY 190 (~$28), Hongcun and Xidi each CNY 104 (~$15), Jiuhua Shan CNY 190 (~$28), Tianzhu Shan CNY 130 (~$19); rate 1 USD = 6.70 CNY
- Best Times
- Spring and autumn; avoid Golden Week (Oct 1-7) and the Labour Day period
- Booking
- Reserve on the official scenic-area WeChat mini-programs or Trip.com; bring passport
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Book Huangshan entry and cable cars online with a passport several days ahead in peak season and avoid Chinese national holiday weeks
Carry passport or ID, since most scenic areas need ID to register tickets
Hongcun and Xidi tickets are valid for 3 days, so both villages can be visited on one ticket
Anhui is landlocked with no sea coast; lake and river shores such as Chaohu and the Yangtze at Wuhu are the water alternatives
Mountain weather changes quickly, so carry a rain layer and warm jacket even in summer
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Anhui attractions?
Late April to June and late September to November bring the best weather; the sea of clouds at Huangshan is most likely after rain, and Hongcun is atmospheric in mist.
Do visitors need a passport for tickets?
Yes, ID is used to register tickets at Huangshan and most other 5A scenic areas.
How many days are needed for Huangshan?
One to two days on the mountain, plus one for Hongcun and Xidi.