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Introduction

At the heart of eastern China lies Anhui Province, a region often overlooked by travelers rushing between Shanghai and Beijing. About the size of Portugal and home to more than 60 million people, Anhui blends misty mountain landscapes with a deep cultural heritage. Famous for the Huangshan Mountains, ancient villages, and authentic Hui cuisine, it offers a slower, more authentic pace of life compared to China’s coastal megacities.

Historically, Anhui was part of China’s inland provinces that benefited only marginally from the rapid development of coastal regions, often providing cheap and abundant labor. Yet the province has managed an economic transition thanks to large irrigation projects and rich mineral deposits, especially copper and coal. Whether you’re drawn by nature, history, or the rising tech hub of Hefei, Anhui invites you to discover a different side of China.

Geography and Key Cities

Anhui sits between Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the east and Henan and Hubei to the west, making it a true crossroads of central and eastern China. Picture a landscape of rolling hills, fertile plains, and dramatic peaks, the province stretches roughly 570 kilometers north to south, comparable to the distance between Paris and Barcelona.

• Capital - Hefei: Once a quiet city, now a growing center for technology, education, and innovation, with a vibrant start-up scene and a youthful population.

• Huangshan City: Gateway to the legendary Yellow Mountains, whose landscapes have even been painted on Chinese banknotes.

• Wuhu and Anqing: Historic river cities along the Yangtze, blending old ports with modern industry.

This geographical mix of plains, rivers, and mountains has shaped Anhui’s economy, culture, and identity for centuries, making it a province of contrasts, from fertile farmland to misty peaks.

💡 Did you know ? “Anhui” comes from Anqing + Huizhou.

Historical Background

Anhui’s history is as layered as its mountains. The region took shape during the Qing dynasty when parts of several ancient prefectures were merged into one province. For centuries, Anhui’s merchants, especially the Huizhou traders, traveled across China, leaving behind distinctive Hui-style architecture and a rich mercantile tradition. They were so prosperous that they were nicknamed the “Wall Street of Imperial China.”

The province has also been a cradle of culture and innovation: Hui Opera, born here, influenced Beijing Opera, and Anhui scholars played key roles in shaping modern Chinese education. Walking through its ancient villages today, you’re seeing living history : whitewashed walls, horse-head roofs, and stone bridges that have stood for hundreds of years.

Nature and Landmarks

Anhui is renowned for the Huangshan Mountains, granite peaks rising out of seas of cloud, immortalized in Chinese ink paintings and even depicted on banknotes. Hiking trails wind through pine-covered slopes and dramatic cliffs, while cable cars whisk visitors to iconic viewpoints like Lotus Peak and Bright Summit.

Beyond Huangshan, Anhui is dotted with lakes, nature reserves, and scenic areas:

• Jiuhua Mountain, one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains.

• Tianzhushan, famous for fossils and rugged terrain.

• Chaohu Lake, one of China’s five largest freshwater lakes.

This combination of mountains, rivers, and historic villages makes Anhui one of the most photogenic provinces in the country, ideal for both adventure and reflection.

💡 Did you know ? Huangshan’s scenery appears on Chinese banknotes.

Culture and Cuisine

Anhui’s cultural legacy is embodied in its Hui-style architecture with whitewashed walls, dark tiled roofs, and intricate wood carvings, especially in villages like Hongcun and Xidi, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These villages served as backdrops for films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Ethnic and linguistic diversity enriches Anhui:

• Ethnies: Mostly Han, with Hui (Muslim Chinese) minorities and smaller Tujia and Miao communities in the southwest.

• Dialect patchwork:

  • Hui dialect (south) preserves older words and has a softer tonality.

  • Jianghuai Mandarin (north) dominates Hefei and the northern plains.

  • Xu-Huai dialects vary city by city and are often incomprehensible to outsiders.

Arts and festivals: Anhui is famous for marionettes, calligraphy, stone and wood carvings, and ink painting. Local festivals include temple fairs in Huangshan villages and tea-picking festivals in spring.

Cuisine (徽菜 Huīcài) is earthy, hearty, and tied to the mountains:

• Stinky Mandarin Fish (臭鳜鱼), a fermented specialty.

• Bamboo shoots and wild mushrooms from local forests.

• Huizhou-style tofu, made with spring water and stone-ground beans.

• Huangshan Maofeng tea, renowned for delicate flavor and aroma.

Compared to coastal provinces, Anhui’s cuisine preserves traditional flavors and techniques rather than fusing international influences.

Economy and Modern Development

While deeply traditional, Anhui is modernizing rapidly. Hefei has become a hub for technology, science, and higher education, sometimes called “China’s Silicon Valley in the east.” The province invests in electric vehicles, semiconductors, and renewable energy, complementing its historic strengths in agriculture (rice, wheat, tea) and mining (copper, coal).

The province’s GDP has doubled in a decade, attracting young professionals nationwide. Its geographic position near the Yangtze River Delta helps Anhui combine industrial growth with eco-tourism and green development, maintaining a link between past and future.

💡 Good to know : Huangshan Maofeng Tea is exclusive to the province.

Anhui has produced some of China’s most influential thinkers and leaders:

• Hu Shih: pioneer of modern Chinese literature and language reform.

• Li Hongzhang: Qing dynasty diplomat and military leader.

• Hui Opera performers: influenced Beijing Opera, spreading Anhui’s cultural legacy.

Unlike Guangdong or Zhejiang, Anhui has historically prioritized cultural preservation and education over trade. Today, universities and research centers continue to shape innovators in tech, science, and the arts.

People and Notable Figures

Current Trends and Daily Life

Daily life varies across Anhui:

• Urban areas: Hefei offers buzzing cafés, coworking spaces, and a young entrepreneurial population.

• Rural towns: agriculture, artisan markets, and traditional rhythms persist.

Local specialties like tea, bamboo shoots, tofu, and mountain cuisine are integral to daily routines. Compared to Shanghai or Guangdong, life is calmer; compared to Henan or Shandong, Anhui feels greener and more mountainous, fostering a strong connection with nature.

Modern innovation sees young residents leaving villages for cities or abroad, yet some return to start eco-friendly tourism projects or high-tech farms, bridging tradition and progress.

Practical Travel and Tips

• Best time to visit: Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) for mild weather and clear mountain views.

• Getting there: High-speed trains connect Hefei to Shanghai and Beijing; Huangshan North Station links the province nationwide.

• Highlights: Huangshan Mountains, Hongcun & Xidi, Jiuhua Mountain.

• Local etiquette: Bargain politely in markets; show respect at temples and ancestral halls.

• Insider tip: Book mountain accommodations early — sunrise on Huangshan is unforgettable but highly popular.