Hefei

Ancient culture meets scientific innovation

Hefei is China’s capital city in Anhui province, located about 130 kilometers south of Nanjing. It sits on the northern shore of Chaohu Lake and has grown into a major transportation hub with frequent high-speed train connections to Beijing and Shanghai. The city balances modern development with historic sites such as ancient city walls and museums that tell its role in China’s revolutionary past. Hefei is known for science parks, universities and growing tech industries alongside local food markets where residents enjoy spicy dishes like steamed fish head.

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City in China

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.8

General Safety:	5
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	3

Read details

2/5

English proficiency in Hefei is limited compared to major international Chinese cities. You'll find English speakers at international hotels, universities, and some tourist attractions, but communication elsewhere may require translation apps or basic Chi

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Hefei Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Strong for modern city life and parks. Visit museums and historic sites, relax around Chaohu Lake and enjoy local food and lively shopping districts.

Place score

6.6

Best at:

Walkable

Luxury

Street food

Theatre

Traditional culture

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Hefei, China

🌨️

Jan

❄️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌦️

May

🌦️

Jun

🌦️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	April - May, Sep. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	March
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Golden Week: first week of October, domestic tourist sites and transport very crowded

Plum rain season mid June to early July brings prolonged rain and high humidity

Don't miss

🌅 Walk around Hefei Swan Lake Park for city views
🏛️ Visit Bao Zheng’s Ancestral House and memorial
🖼️ Explore the Anhui Museum’s cultural exhibits
🌳 Stroll through Xiaoyaojin Park’s scenic gardens
🛍️ Shop and dine along Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street
🏠 Discover history at Li Hongzhang’s former residence

You've been here?

Why travel to Hefei?

Hefei captivates visitors with its unique blend of historical significance and modern development. The city preserves important cultural heritage sites like Baogong Park (dedicated to the legendary upright official Bao Zheng), Li Hongzhang's Former Residence and the ancient Mingjiao Temple with its 1,500 years of Buddhist history. These attractions provide fascinating insights into different periods of Chinese history without the tourist crowds you'd find in Beijing or Xi'an. Beyond its historical appeal, Hefei offers natural beauty centered around Chaohu Lake, one of China's five largest freshwater lakes and various parks that showcase traditional Chinese landscaping. The city is also an educational powerhouse, home to the renowned University of Science and Technology of China, making it an interesting destination for those interested in China's scientific development. While Hefei may lack the immediate visual impact of China's top-tier tourist cities, its authentic atmosphere, reasonable prices and combination of cultural and natural attractions make it an excellent choice for travelers seeking to experience a more typical Chinese provincial capital.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Anhui Museum
2 Wanda Plaza of Swan Lake
3 Mingjiao Temple
4 University of Science and Technology of China (East Campus)

🎡Places for activities

1 Baogong Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Tangxi River
2 Chaohu Lake Avenue
3 Botanical Garden
4 Swan Lake

🛍️Shopping

1 Wanda Plaza of Baohe

🎈Events

Anhui Cultural Heritage Festival
Chaohu Lake Festival
Hefei Science and Technology Exhibition
Spring Festival Celebrations
Mid-Autumn Festival Events
Dragon Boat Festival
Baogong Cultural Festival
Anhui Traditional Opera Performances
University Science Competitions
Autumn Harvest Celebrations

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Download translation app for menus and directions.
Visit Bao Gong Park to explore Song Dynasty temple honoring legendary judge Bao Zheng.
Stroll Xiaoyaojin Park for Three Kingdoms history and modern playground attractions nearby.
Head to Swan Lake at night to photograph Hefei's illuminated skyline and landmarks.

How to travel to Hefei

Hefei is accessible through multiple transportation options. The primary gateway is Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, which connects to major Chinese cities and some international destinations. From the airport, taxis and airport shuttles run to the city center, approximately 30-40 minutes away depending on traffic. For travelers already in China, high-speed trains are an excellent option, with Hefei served by multiple railway stations connecting to major cities like Shanghai (approximately 3 hours), Beijing (4-5 hours) and Nanjing (1 hour). The city is also accessible by long-distance buses from neighboring provinces. If you're planning a multi-city tour of China, Hefei makes a logical stop between eastern seaboard cities and central or western destinations.

Access summary

From Hefei Xinqiao Airport (HFE): Airport bus or taxi, about 45–70 minutes.
From Shanghai: High-speed train to Hefei South about 2.5–3.5 hours.
From Nanjing: Frequent high-speed trains to Hefei around 1.5–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Hefei

Hefei offers a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. The city center and areas around Baogong Park provide convenient access to main attractions and are popular choices for first-time visitors. International hotel chains like Shangri-La offer luxury options with English-speaking staff, while numerous mid-range hotels provide good value. Budget travelers can find inexpensive local hotels and guesthouses, though English service may be limited. University areas have affordable options catering to visiting academics. During major Chinese holidays like Spring Festival or National Day, accommodations can fill quickly, so advance booking is recommended.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Four Points by Sheraton Hefei, Shushan

8.9

Somerset Swan Lake Hefei

8.9

The Westin Hefei

9.0

Crowne Plaza Hefei By IHG

8.3

Sheraton Hefei Xinzhan Hotel

9.1

Shangri-La Hefei

8.4

Crowne Plaza Hefei Rongqiao By IHG

8.8

Pullman Hefei Sunac

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Hefei

Getting around Hefei is relatively straightforward with its developing public transportation system. The city has an expanding metro system with multiple lines connecting major attractions, shopping areas and transportation hubs. Buses are comprehensive and affordable, covering most areas of interest. Taxis are readily available and reasonably priced for direct travel. For tourists, the most convenient options are the metro for longer distances and taxis for shorter trips. Many central attractions are clustered close enough for walking. Ride-hailing apps are also popular, though you may need Chinese language assistance to use them effectively. Traffic can be congested during rush hours, so plan accordingly, especially if you have scheduled activities.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-75 %

Daily expenses in Hefei are around 75% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£20	£43	£108
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£23	£53
🍝 Food per day	£11	£18	£51
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£5

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£8
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.30
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.30
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.40
☕ Cappuccino	£1.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.65

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.22
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£3.20
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.80

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.30
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£22
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£4.70

Safety information overview

General safety

Hefei is generally safe for tourists with low crime rates. The main safety concerns are traffic-related, as pedestrians should exercise caution when crossing streets. During rainy season (June-September), occasional flooding may occur. Air quality can be poor in winter months, so those with respiratory issues should monitor pollution levels.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Hefei are adequate, with several hospitals capable of handling most emergencies. International visitors typically prefer First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology for better English services. Air pollution can be a health concern, particularly in winter months. Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended.

Accessibility

Accessibility in Hefei is improving but still challenging for those with mobility issues. Newer areas and major attractions have better accessibility features, but many historical sites and older parts of the city have limited accommodations. Modern shopping malls and international hotels offer the best accessibility options.

Tap water

Tap water in Hefei is not recommended for drinking without boiling or filtering first. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive. Most hotels provide complimentary bottled water and restaurants serve boiled or bottled water. Public drinking fountains are rare.