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 beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Anhui.
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- Boat pier and sightseeing boats
- Lakeside promenade
- Cafes and fish restaurants nearby
- Public toilets
- Parking
Chaohu Lake Zhongmiao Shore (巢湖中庙)
The north shore of Chaohu Lake at Zhongmiao Temple, a Han-era temple built on a rock jutting into the water. The promenade offers wide lake views and boat trips to Guishan Island. Swimming is not the point; the shore is for strolling, photography and a fish lunch in town.
Best for. families, photographers, walkers
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- Cycling and walking paths
- Wetland boardwalks
- Cafes
- Toilets
- Parking
Chaohu Binhu Wetland Forest Park (巢湖滨湖湿地森林公园)
A lakeside park on the Hefei side of Chaohu with wetland trails, cycling paths and open shoreline. It is the easiest Chaohu shore to reach from central Hefei and suits a relaxed half day. The coordinates are approximate to the park area; confirm the gate location in Amap.
Best for. families, cyclists, walkers
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- Boat cruises
- Viewing platforms
- Lakeside restaurants
- Parking
- Toilets
Taiping Lake (太平湖)
A large canyon-type mountain reservoir, formerly known as Chen Village Reservoir, on the Huangshan to Jiuhua Shan route. Boat cruises pass forested islands and misty hills; the shoreline has viewing platforms and quiet coves. Swimming is not generally permitted outside marked areas.
Best for. photographers, couples, boat-trip lovers
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- Riverside promenade
- Bike-share stands
- Cafes and restaurants
- Toilets
- Sightseeing boats (seasonal)
Xin'an River Riverfront, Tunxi (新安江)
The Xin'an River flows through Tunxi and is lined with a landscaped promenade, bridges and cycling paths, a short walk from Tunxi Old Street. It is a river embankment rather than a swimming beach and is best in the evening for walking and street food.
Best for. walkers, cyclists, families
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- Riverside promenade
- Bike lanes
- Cafes
- Toilets
- Nearby pagoda park
Wuhu Yangtze Riverfront (芜湖江滨)
A landscaped embankment on the south bank of the Yangtze near the Song-era Zhongjiang Pagoda, with wide river views and passing cargo ships. The Yangtze is fast and dangerous, so swimming is not advised; the promenade is for walking, cycling and evening light.
Best for. walkers, photographers, cyclists
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- Birdwatching viewpoints
- Boardwalks
- Visitor center (limited hours)
- Parking
Shengjin Lake Wetland (升金湖)
A freshwater lake and national nature reserve on the south bank of the Yangtze, with wetlands and wintering grounds for Siberian cranes, white-naped cranes and swans. Access is for birdwatching and wetland walks rather than bathing; winter months are best. The coordinates are approximate to the reserve; confirm the visitor entrance locally.
Best for. birdwatchers, nature lovers, photographers
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Family
Family-friendly
Chaohu's lakeside promenades at Zhongmiao and Binhu Wetland Forest Park have flat paths, playgrounds and boat rides suitable for children
Sport
Active & sporty
The Xin'an River embankment at Tunxi and the Yangtze embankment at Wuhu suit walking, running and cycling
Scenic
Scenic
Taiping Lake's canyon scenery and mist-covered hills are the most photogenic lake shoreline in the province
Remote
Remote
Shengjin Lake in Chizhou is a wetland nature reserve and a winter stop for migratory cranes and swans, quiet and rarely visited by foreigners
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Anhui memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
April-June and September-November are the pleasant seasons; July-August is hot and humid, and winter suits birdwatching at Shengjin Lake
Beach Type
Freshwater lake and river shores only; Anhui has no sea coast, and there are no true sandy ocean beaches. A few sandy patches exist at local reservoirs but they are not formal swimming beaches
Getting There
Chaohu and Binhu are 1 hour from Hefei by train or coach; Taiping Lake is about 1 h 15 min from Tunxi by car; the Xin'an River is in Tunxi; Wuhu is 1 hour from Hefei by train; Shengjin Lake is near Dongzhi, Chizhou, reached by train to Chizhou plus taxi
Water Quality
Water quality varies: Taiping Lake is a clear mountain reservoir, while Chaohu can be hazy with seasonal algae in summer. Swimming is not recommended except in designated areas
Facilities Note
Facilities are basic - benches, cafes and small boat piers. There are usually no lifeguards; follow posted rules and avoid swimming in unsigned areas
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.