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.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Hongcun Village
A UNESCO Huizhou village with a moon-shaped pond, South Lake and narrow lanes; the Moon Pond and water channels suit children, though stone thresholds and cobbles are hard on stroller wheels
Duration: Half day
Xidi Village
A second UNESCO Huizhou village with white-walled houses, carved archways and shallow streams that children like following; quieter than Hongcun on weekdays
Duration: Half day
Huangshan Scenic Area (Yellow Mountain)
A UNESCO granite mountain with cable cars (Yungu, Yuping, Taiping) that cut steep climbs; families with children under 10 should use the cable cars and stay overnight at the summit for sunrise
Duration: 1-2 days
Tunxi Old Street
A car-free Song-style street with sweet shops, ink and inkstone sellers and calligraphy demonstrations; flat and stroller-friendly
Duration: 2-3 hours
Wuhu Fantawild Dreamland
A large theme park in Wuhu with rides, shows and cartoon characters based on Chinese mythology and animation; the anchor family park in Anhui
Duration: Full day
Anhui Museum, Hefei
A large provincial museum with Anhui bronzes, Huizhou wood carving and family-friendly displays; air-conditioned and good for rainy days
Duration: 2-3 hours
Chaohu Lake and Binhu Wetland, Hefei
Lake shore paths and park areas with playgrounds, cycling lanes and bird-watching on Chaohu, one of China's five largest freshwater lakes
Duration: Half day
Jiuhua Shan (Mount Jiuhua)
One of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains with temples, monks and forested walks; children like the giant Buddha statue and the temple bells
Duration: 1-2 days
Tianzhu Shan (Qianshan)
A granite peak scenic area with cliffs, caves and a cable car; suitable for active older children and teenagers
Duration: 1 day
Langya Mountain, Chuzhou
A forested hill park with the Zuiweng (Drunken Old Man) Pavilion associated with Ouyang Xiu and easy paved trails
Duration: Half to full day
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Hyatt Regency Huangshan (near Tangkou)
An international-chain resort near the south gate of Huangshan with family rooms and a pool, ideal after a day of hiking; confirm current listing on Trip.com
Family features: Family rooms, pool, English-speaking staff, shuttle links to the cable-car station
Marriott and Sheraton hotels in Hefei (Binhu and downtown)
International brand hotels in Hefei with connecting rooms and buffet breakfast; confirm current listings
Family features: Connecting rooms, breakfast buffet, pool or kids' club at selected properties
Hongcun and Xidi Huizhou guesthouses
Family-run courtyard inns with 2-3 bed rooms and a garden; guests wake in the village before day-trippers arrive
Family features: Courtyard space, family rooms on request, home-cooked meals
Tunxi Old Street chain hotels (Atour, Hanting, Ibis)
Reliable mid-priced chain hotels within reach of Tunxi Old Street and the bus station
Family features: Triple and family rooms, laundry, easy bus links to Hongcun and Tangkou
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Order shared plates; Hui dishes include steamed bamboo shoots, Mao tofu and tea-smoked duck, milder than Sichuan food
Say bu yao la (no chilli) and shao you (less oil) for young children
Look for steamed egg custard, plain noodles, rice and vegetables; stinky mandarin fish is an acquired taste
Carry snacks and water on mountain trips; summit prices are 3-5 times higher
Baby formula and nappies are sold in Hefei and Tunxi supermarkets and convenience stores
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Build downtime into every day — over-scheduled kids melt down faster than tired adults.
Carry snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit at all times.
Many attractions offer discounted family tickets — ask at the ticket window.