Hefei's attractions are more varied than you might expect — everything from a city park built on a former airport to lakeside scenery across the region. The list below is grouped by theme, so feel free to mix and match based on your interests and how much time you have.

Luogang Park — Walking a former airport runway in a city green space

Luogang Park sits on the site of the old Hefei Luogang Airport. The park keeps the axis of the original runway, now a lawn stretching more than three kilometres known as the Dream Lawn, while the old terminal has been converted into an urban development hall complete with an aviation science gallery and a flight simulator. Walk or fly a kite along the former runway or climb the beacon tower at the park's highest point for a view across the greenery. Driverless sightseeing shuttles run through the grounds, blending aviation heritage with wide open space. Entry is free, and you can reach the park directly from Luogang Station on Metro Line 1 or Shengda Station on Line 5.

Hechai 1972 — A former diesel engine plant turned creative district

Tucked into Baohe District, Hechai 1972 was converted from the industrial workshops of the old Hefei Diesel Engine Plant, with its weathered red brick walls and large vaulted structures kept intact. The site now holds a contemporary art museum, independent coffee shops, and a home appliance gallery that recreates 1980s and 1990s streetscapes, grocery stores and green-liveried train carriages in impressive detail. It's a great pick if you're into creative districts and retro photography — admission is free, and half a day is plenty to see it all

Xinliangcang — Giant silos reworked as a contemporary design space

In Shushan District, on the site of the former Anhui Mechanised Grain Depot, Xinliangcang (New Grain Warehouse) is defined by its cluster of tall cylindrical concrete silos. Designers transformed the ten-thousand-tonne silo group into a silo art centre, now surrounded by boutique retail, creative studios, vintage shops and speciality food and drink brands. The whole space plays with volume and clean modern lines — spend an afternoon wandering the grounds at a slower pace and you'll get the full effect.

Lord Bao Park and the Former Residence of Li Hongzhang — Jianghuai history and architecture in the old town

These two sites are the best place to start understanding Hefei's history. Lord Bao Park commemorates the Northern Song official Bao Zheng, better known as Lord Bao, and is split into four sections: the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao, Lord Bao Cemetery, Qingfeng Pavilion, and Fuzhuang Garden — the last built on an island in the lake and laid out as a classic Jianghuai garden. Admission is free with advance registration under a real-name system, and Baogongyuan Station on Metro Line 1 drops you right at the entrance (check official announcements for current registration details). The Former Residence of Li Hongzhang stands on Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street in Luyang District — a fine example of a late Qing Jianghuai official residence, with beautiful brick and wood carving and a traditional zoumalou courtyard layout. It's closed on Mondays, takes about an hour to visit, and pairs naturally with a stroll along the pedestrian street.

Anhui Museum and Swan Lake — Collections by day, lakeside skyline by evening

Anhui Museum (Shushan Hall, also known as the New Site) is a national first-grade museum holding more than 310,000 items, including a substantial collection of Hui-style artefacts, ancient bronzes and paintings, all housed in a building inspired by Hui-style architecture. Entry is free under a real-name registration system, and the museum closes on Mondays; it's about a 500-metre walk from Shengbowuyuan Station on Metro Line 3. Once you've finished with the exhibitions, nearby Swan Lake is a natural next stop. This is Hefei's modern administrative and business district, ringed by towers, and as evening sets in, the water and city lights together show off a livelier side of the city.

Sanhe Ancient Town — A well-preserved water town

Sanhe Ancient Town sits in Feixi County on the city's outskirts, about 40 kilometres and an hour's drive from the centre. You can get there directly by ride-hailing, or take Metro Line 1 to Jiulianwei Station, where the Sanhe tourist bus waiting area at Exit C runs a direct service. Sanhe is Hefei's only 5A-rated scenic area, named for the meeting point of the Fengle, Hangbu and Xiaonan rivers. Flagstone lanes, Hui-style houses with upturned eaves, and a network of canals off the Xiaonan River are all still here — set aside half a day to a full day, including a ride through the water lanes by black-awning boat. Entry to the town itself is free, though individual sites charge separately or offer combined tickets (check with the scenic area for current pricing). Don't leave without trying the local Sanhe rice dumplings.

Tangchi Hot Springs, Lujiang — An overnight break outside the city in autumn and winter

Tangchi Town in Lujiang County is about an hour and ten minutes' drive from central Hefei, known for its natural hot springs — the source water holds above 60°C year-round and stays impressively clear. Several resort hotels and hot-spring facilities operate here in quiet, peaceful surroundings, making it a good fit for a two-day, one-night trip in autumn or winter, with a soak to ease the travel fatigue.

Hefei is a major high-speed rail hub in eastern China, with easy onward connections to the main sights of Anhui and Jiangsu — ideal if you want to build a multi-city itinerary. The cities below are ordered by journey time, shortest first, so you can plan around how much time you have (journey times vary by service).

Lu'an (from about 25 minutes by high-speed rail; a one-day trip):

One of the closest Anhui cities to Hefei. Tiantangzhai, the Dabie Mountain Grottoes and Wanfo Lake are the main draws, all landscape-led — a full day here suits anyone who enjoys hiking and scenery.

Nanjing (from about 1 hour by high-speed rail; a one- to two-day trip):

The capital of Jiangsu and a historic capital city in its own right, where the Confucius Temple, the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and Xuanwu Lake are the highlights. Don't miss the salted duck and duck blood vermicelli soup. The sights are spread out, so an overnight stay makes it easier to cover everything.

Huangshan (from about 1 hour 30 minutes by high-speed rail; a two- to three-day trip):

Anhui's most famous mountain and ancient village region. Alongside the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area, the Hui-style villages of Hongcun and Xidi draw plenty of interest. Many travellers stay overnight on the mountain for sunrise — two to three days gives you a more relaxed pace.

Classic Anhui cuisine:

Hefei's cooking is rooted in traditional Anhui, or Hui, cuisine — careful heat control, savoury flavours, and plenty of depth. On a first visit, start with Feixi old hen soup, clear and bright with a mellow richness. From there, try Luzhou roast duck with its crisp skin and tender meat, braised Wushan tribute goose, and a pot of Li Hongzhang Hotchpotch, all classic mains worth ordering. For something different, look for stinky mandarin fish — cured and fermented the traditional way, with flesh that flakes apart like garlic cloves and a fermented aroma that mellows into a surprisingly tender taste. It originates from Huizhou, and you'll find it at many Anhui-cuisine restaurants across Hefei.

Local night market snacks:

Lei Street in Baohe District brings the region's snacks together in one lively spot come evening. Look for Sanhe rice dumplings — indica rice flour wrapped around a meat filling and fried until golden and crisp — and Xiatang shaobing, charcoal-baked until crisp outside and soft within. The atmosphere alone makes it worth a late-night visit.

Gifts and local products:

Anhui has long been one of China's most respected tea regions, making local tea a reliable gift to bring home. Tea shops and large malls across Hefei stock the well-known local varieties — Lu'an Guapian (a distinctive green tea made from single leaves only, no buds or stems), Huangshan Maofeng, and the fragrant Keemun black tea — all neatly packaged and easy to carry. Also look out for Hefei honggao, a thin, crisp, lightly sweet baked cake recognised as municipal intangible cultural heritage, plus osmanthus crisp candy and taosu shortbread from the city's older bakeries. Planning to bring more home? The Essential and Max fares include one 20 kg or one 32 kg checked bag respectively.

A note on customs:

Before buying any gifts or food items, check the import declaration rules and plant and animal clearance restrictions for your final destination.

Hefei Xinqiao International Airport Transportation

Hefei Xinqiao International Airport sits northwest of the city, and how you get into town depends on where you're headed and how much luggage you're carrying.

To Swan Lake and Zhengwu District:

About 40 to 50 minutes by road. If you're travelling as a group or with bulky luggage, ride-hailing or a taxi is your fastest option.

To Huaihe Road and the old town:

About 45 to 60 minutes by road. Ride-hailing works well here too, or take Airport Bus Line 1, which stops at Hefei Railway Station, the Holiday Inn stop on the North First Ring, Bozhou Road and Hefei West Railway Station.

To Hefei South Railway Station:

If you're connecting to another city by high-speed rail the same day, Airport Bus Line 3 runs directly to Hefei South Railway Station and on to the Passenger Transport Centre stop.

To Binhu New District:

A dedicated Binhu service runs here, bookable about an hour and a half in advance through the Hefei Airport Express WeChat mini-program. It operates from 08:00 to 19:00, roughly every 60 minutes.

A note on service changes:

Airport bus routes, frequencies and fares were updated in late August 2026, so check the official Hefei Xinqiao International Airport website before you travel. Hefei Metro Line S1, which will link the airport to the city, is still under construction and testing — once it opens, airport journeys should get even easier (check official announcements for the opening date). Hefei Metro currently runs eight lines covering the main attractions and shopping districts, so getting around the city is straightforward in the meantime.

Hefei has a humid subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. The annual mean temperature sits roughly between 15.7°C and 16.4°C, with just over 1,000 mm of rainfall a year. Here's what to expect by season:

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November):

The two most comfortable seasons to visit. Spring warms gradually, with average temperatures climbing from about 7°C to 28°C, and the parks and lakeside roads burst into bloom — though the gap between day and night temperatures is wide enough that you'll want a jacket handy. Autumn is clear and crisp, with average temperatures easing from about 32°C down to 9°C and very little rain, perfect for cycling in Luogang Park, visiting Sanhe Ancient Town, or any other outdoor plans. April and October have the steadiest weather overall, making them the strongest windows for a Hefei trip.

Summer (June to August):

July averages around 28.6°C, and daytime temperatures can climb quite high. Plan for sun protection and plenty of water if you're spending the day outside. From mid-June to mid-July, the Jianghuai plum rain season sets in, so it's worth weighting your itinerary toward indoor sites like Anhui Museum or Xinliangcang during this stretch.

Winter (December to February):

Average temperatures range from about −1°C to 11°C overall, with January averaging around 2.8°C. It's cool, dry, and mostly clear — good conditions for exploring the old town's history or heading out to the natural hot springs at Tangchi in Lujiang. If you're used to Hong Kong's climate, pack thicker, wind-resistant layers. Bringing a bulky winter coat? The Essential and Max fares include one 20 kg or one 32 kg checked bag respectively, giving you room to spare.

Swan Lake and Zhengwu District:

Hefei's modern city centre, with a strong concentration of international hotel brands, good facilities and open views. Large shopping malls and restaurants are close by, Swan Lake's waterfront walk and Anhui Museum are just a short trip away, and Metro Line 3 serves the area directly — a comfortable, relaxed base overall.

Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street and the old town:

Right by the Former Residence of Li Hongzhang, Xiaoyaojin Park and other key sights, with long-established restaurants and evening markets just steps from your door. Amenities are solid and there are more budget-friendly options here too — a good fit if you like the busier energy of the old town.

Around Hefei South Railway Station:

Home to a cluster of international chain business hotels, with Metro Line 1 running straight into the city centre. If your itinerary continues with an early-morning high-speed rail trip to Huangshan, Nanjing or beyond, staying here will save you the most time.

Currency

Chinese Yuan (CNY)

Electricity

220V 50Hz

Language

Mandarin Chinese; the local dialect is Hefei dialect, part of the Jianghuai Mandarin group

Timezone

China, UTC+8

Mobile payment and transport notes for overseas visitors

Mobile payment is the norm across mainland China. Before you leave, download and activate AlipayHK or WeChat Pay HK — both support cross-border payment on the mainland and link directly to Hong Kong credit cards or bank accounts. Alternatively, download the mainland versions of WeChat and Alipay and link an international credit card instead. For getting around the city, the DiDi or Amap mini-programmes built into either app let you enter a destination and call a car, with the fare deducted automatically from your e-wallet. You can also download the DiDi app on its own and pay with an international credit card, which keeps you from relying on a single payment platform.

How long does the flight from Hong Kong to Hefei take?

The direct HK Express flight to Hefei Xinqiao International Airport takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. Schedules and flight times can vary by season, so check the latest flight information before booking.

Is flying or high-speed rail more convenient from Hong Kong to Hefei?

Flying is clearly the faster option — the flight takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, and with airport transfers, you can start your itinerary within half a day. There's no direct high-speed rail service from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Hefei, so you'd need to change at Shenzhen North or Guangzhou South, and the full journey typically takes over seven hours.

How many days should a Hefei itinerary allow?

Two to three days works well for a first visit. Two days covers the historic sites, creative districts and local food; a third day leaves room for Sanhe Ancient Town or the hot springs at Tangchi if you're visiting in autumn or winter. If you're adding Nanjing or Huangshan, plan for four to five days total.

Which attractions are worth visiting in Hefei?

For distinctive cityscapes and photography, head to Luogang Park on the old airport site, Hechai 1972, and Xinliangcang. For history, prioritise the Former Residence of Li Hongzhang, Lord Bao Park and Anhui Museum. And a full day at Sanhe Ancient Town gives you the classic water town experience.

Which district is the most convenient to stay in?

For sightseeing and shopping, Swan Lake in Zhengwu District has the widest choice of hotels and direct access via Metro Line 3. For food and walking, Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street in Luyang District puts the old town sights and snacks right on your doorstep. And if you're planning frequent rail trips, staying near Hefei South Railway Station will save you the most time.

Is Hefei suitable for family travel?

Yes, Hefei works well for families. Luogang Park has wide flat lawns and greenways perfect for walking, cycling and kite flying, while Xiaoyaojin Park in the city centre offers lake views and play facilities — entry to the park is free, with separate charges for individual rides.

Is it easy to reach nearby cities from Hefei?

Very easy. Hefei is a major transport hub in eastern China with an extensive high-speed rail network, and Airport Bus Line 3 runs directly from Hefei Xinqiao International Airport to Hefei South Railway Station, where you can catch onward trains to Lu'an, Nanjing or Huangshan.

What food is worth trying in Hefei?

Start with the Anhui cuisine classics — Feixi old hen soup, Luzhou roast duck, Wushan tribute goose and Li Hongzhang Hotchpotch. For snacks, look out for Sanhe rice dumplings and Xiatang shaobing, and head to Lei Street in the evening to find them all in one place.

How much baggage allowance is needed for Hefei?

For a two- to three-day city trip, hand baggage is usually enough — though Hefei's tea, pastries and Anhui food gifts add weight quickly, and winter calls for bulkier clothing. The Essential fare includes one 20 kg checked bag, and the Max fare includes one 32 kg checked bag plus standard seat selection, giving you more room for the return trip.