Hefei

合肥

Capital of Anhui Province, a modern city with a rich revolutionary past and emerging tech hub. Bao Zheng Park and Hefei Museum offer cultural insights into the region's history.

Things to do

• Bao Zheng Park — Explore this historic park dedicated to the famous Song Dynasty judge Bao Zheng, featuring traditional architecture, temples, and exhibits about his life and judicial legacy.
• Hefei Museum — Visit this comprehensive museum showcasing Anhui's cultural heritage, including bronze vessels, ceramics, and exhibits on the region's revolutionary history.
• Xiaoyaojin Park — Stroll through this scenic lakeside park featuring traditional Chinese gardens, walking paths, and views of the Xiaoyao Lake in the city center.
• Anhui University of Technology Campus — Experience the thriving tech and innovation ecosystem of modern Hefei by visiting one of the key institutions driving the city's development as a semiconductor and tech hub.
• Hefei Old Street (三河古镇) — Wander through the preserved ancient water town of Sanhe just outside Hefei, featuring Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, traditional shops, and waterfront temples.
• Anhui Revolutionary History Memorial — Learn about Hefei's significant role in China's revolutionary movements through artifacts, photographs, and historical documents spanning the 20th century.

Food to try

• Hefei Luosifen (合肥螺蛳粉) — A local adaptation of the famous Guangxi rice noodle soup, featuring snails, bamboo shoots, and a spicy broth with a distinctive funky fermented flavor that defines Hefei street food culture.
• Anhui Stone Pot Fish (石锅鱼) — Fresh river fish cooked in a heated stone pot with pickled vegetables, chilies, and local herbs, creating a savory and slightly spicy communal dining experience unique to the Yangtze River region.
• Dafu Sesame Cake (大夫烧饼) — A crispy pastry filled with sesame, pork, or vegetables, traditionally eaten for breakfast and considered a signature Hefei snack dating back generations.
• Chaohu Lake Fresh Fish (巢湖鱼) — Freshwater fish from nearby Chaohu Lake prepared steamed, braised, or in soups, representing the region's culinary connection to local water resources and seasonal cooking.
• Anhui Maofeng Tea (安徽毛峰) — A premium green tea grown in the mountains of southern Anhui with a delicate chestnut flavor, often served as an accompaniment to meals or enjoyed during traditional tea ceremonies.
• Hefei Tofu Dishes (豆腐) — Local tofu prepared in various traditional methods including stinky tofu, braised tofu with fermented black beans, and silk tofu reflecting Anhui's vegetarian cooking heritage.

Local customs & good to know

• Respectful temple etiquette — When visiting Bao Zheng Park or other temples, remove shoes before entering sacred spaces, avoid pointing at religious statues, and speak quietly to show respect to worshippers and the spiritual significance of the site.
• Seasonal celebration awareness — Hefei celebrates Bao Zheng Cultural Festival annually during spring, with traditional performances and parades; planning your visit around this time offers deeper cultural immersion and local atmosphere.
• Tech-forward city identity — Modern Hefei takes pride in its transformation into a technology and innovation hub; conversations about semiconductors, startups, and urban development reflect local pride in the city's rapid modernization.
• Communal dining customs — Meals in Hefei are typically shared family-style with multiple dishes on a lazy susan; it is customary to serve elders first and to offer toasts (yum cha) before eating as a sign of respect and hospitality.