Back from Hefei with Kids: Some Hard Truths to Share
Hefei, a city bridging east and west in the Jianghuai region, boasts both deep historical heritage with Hui-style culture and the vibrant energy of a modern metropolis. This three-day itinerary takes you through historic alleys to explore history, stroll along lakeshores to experience nature, and visit landmarks to enjoy trendy spots, unlocking Hefei's unique charm in a comprehensive way and embarking on a wonderful journey that blends ancient and modern elements.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Historical and Cultural Exploration Day
📍Li Hongzhang's Former Residence: The former home of late Qing Dynasty statesman Li Hongzhang, featuring typical Jianghuai residential architectural style. Step into this ancient residence and learn about Li Hongzhang's life and late Qing history through rich historical materials and artifacts (Admission: 20 yuan).
📍Mingjiao Temple: Originally built during the Southern Dynasties, it's the oldest temple in Hefei. The Grand Hall is solemn and majestic with thriving incense offerings. Climb up the Jiaonu Platform to overlook the bustling pedestrian street, experiencing the collision between history and modernity (Admission: 10 yuan).
📍Lei Street: Hefei's distinctive cultural food street district, with the character "Lei" highlighting the local drinking culture. As night falls, the street lights up with specialty snacks and Hui cuisine restaurants lining the streets, allowing you to taste delicious food while experiencing authentic Hefei atmosphere (Free entry, pay for your own food).
Day 2: Nature and Ecology Tour Day
📍Sanhe Ancient Town: A national 5A-level scenic spot with over 2,500 years of history. Cobblestone paths, ancient bridges, and old residences are arranged in a picturesque manner. Take a boat tour along the Xiaonan River, visit Yang Zhenning's former residence and Liu Tongxinglong Manor to experience the charm of Hui-style architecture (Town entry is free, combined ticket for some attractions: 70 yuan).
📍Laoshan Island in Chaohu Lake: An island in the center of the 800-li Chaohu Lake. Take a boat to the island and walk along the island path to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery. Climb Wenfeng Tower for a panoramic view of Chaohu Lake and experience the magnificent "Lao Peak as green as a bun, standing like a pillar in the middle of the flow" (Admission: 30 yuan, round-trip boat ticket: 50 yuan).
Day 3: Modern Urban Experience Day
📍Anhui Provincial Museum: A window to understand Anhui's history and culture, with rich collections. The museum's treasures like the "Zhuke Cauldron" and Chu-Han gold and silver artifacts are breathtaking. Through exhibitions, gain a deeper appreciation of the unique charm of Hui culture (Free, reservation required).
📍Swan Lake: A landmark in Hefei, surrounded by high-rise buildings in a beautiful environment. In the evening, enjoy the Swan Lake musical fountain show, with lights and water intertwining to experience urban prosperity (Free).
📍Hechai 1972: A cultural and creative park converted from an old prison, perfectly blending industrial-style architecture with art exhibitions. The park houses a home appliance museum and an art gallery, ideal for taking photos and leisurely browsing exhibitions (Free).
📍Return Journey: Pack your bags in the afternoon and set off with wonderful memories of Hefei.
Must-Try Food List: Hefei on the Tip of Your Tongue
✅Wushan Tribute Goose: A Hefei specialty dish featuring tender goose meat, thoroughly marinated, savory and delicious. Paired with secret dipping sauce, it's full of flavor. About 30-40 yuan for half a goose.
✅Hefei Old Hen Soup: Made with local free-range hens, slow-cooked for hours. The broth is rich and white, the chicken meat tender, and nutritious. 20-30 yuan per bowl.
✅Sanhe Rice Dumplings: A traditional snack from Sanhe Ancient Town, made with indica rice flour wrappers filled with pork, dried tofu, etc. Deep-fried until golden and crispy outside while soft and flavorful inside. 3-5 yuan each.
✅Luzhou Roast Duck: Crispy skin and tender meat, served with lotus leaf pancakes and sweet bean sauce. You can also order a bowl of duck oil soup dumplings with rich broth that bursts in your mouth. 40-60 yuan per person.
✅Loach Noodles: Loach stewed until tender, with noodles absorbing the broth, resulting in a savory flavor. A common delicacy on Hefei dining tables. 25-35 yuan per serving.
Photography Tips: Capturing Beautiful Moments
1️⃣Li Hongzhang's Former Residence: Use the ancient Hui-style architecture as a background with a medium telephoto lens for portrait close-ups, highlighting details like horse-head walls and wood carvings to convey historical depth.
2️⃣Laoshan Island in Chaohu Lake: Use a wide-angle lens to capture panoramic views with Laoshan Island in the distance from the lakeshore. Shooting during early morning or evening with the glow of sunrise/sunset creates more stunning images.
3️⃣Hechai 1972: Utilize the industrial-style buildings and art installations in the park for creative portraits. Try low-angle upward shots or displacement photography to create a unique style.
Pitfall Guide: Tips to Avoid Problems
🚗Transportation: Subway and buses are convenient in the city center. Take special line buses from the tourist bus station to Sanhe Ancient Town. Self-driving or chartered cars are recommended for Chaohu Lake, with convenient parking near scenic spots.
🍱Food: Choose time-honored establishments like "Geng Fuxing" for authentic local cuisine. Lei Street has many food stalls, so pay attention to food hygiene.
🎫Tickets: Free attractions like Anhui Provincial Museum require advance reservations. Combined tickets for some scenic areas are more economical, compare and purchase before your trip.
👟Outfit: Prepare for sun protection in summer with hats and sunscreen. Bring jackets for spring and autumn due to large temperature differences between day and night. Simple style clothing works well for photos in various settings.
Hidden Experiences: Exploring Lesser-Known Treasures
1️⃣Changlinhe Ancient Town: Adjacent to Chaohu Lake and more peaceful than Sanhe Ancient Town. The ancient streets are well-preserved, and Hongshizu Park is perfect for watching Chaohu Lake sunsets and enjoying leisurely moments.
2️⃣Anhui Celebrity Museum: Showcases historical figures from Anhui, from Laozi and Zhuangzi to Deng Jiaxian, vividly presented through modern technology, ideal for learning about Anhui's cultural history.
3️⃣Cuigang Art Village: A paradise for art lovers, filled with artists' studios and cafes, with occasional art exhibitions and folk music performances, full of artistic atmosphere.