Hefei (合肥)
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View Plans & PricingArea & Population
Area: 11,445 km² (prefecture-level city)
Population: Approximately 9.4 million (2020 census)
Name Origin
Hefei means "junction of two Fei rivers" in Chinese, named where the Nanshi and Dongshi Fei rivers meet. It is the capital of Anhui Province.
Happiness Index
7.0/10 — Residents enjoy a balanced lifestyle with modern amenities and cultural richness.
Metro & Transport
Hefei Xinqiao International Airport (HFE) serves domestic and international flights. Hefei Railway Station, South Station, and West Station are major rail hubs. The city has five metro lines (Lines 1–5).
Universities
University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei University of Technology, Anhui University, and Anhui Medical University are major institutions.
Natural Resources
Hefei lies between the Yangtze and Huai rivers on the Chaohu Lake plain. It has a humid subtropical climate and is surrounded by lakes and wetlands, including Chaohu Lake.
Attractions in Hefei
Visit Lord Bao Park (Baohe Park), Xiaoyaojin Park, Anhui Provincial Museum, Sanhe Ancient Town, and the Hefei Swan Lake area.
Popular Routes
Day 1: Visit Lord Bao Park and the Anhui Provincial Museum.
Day 2: Day trip to Sanhe Ancient Town.
Food & Dining
Try Luzhou roast duck, Sanhe rice dumplings, Hefei lobster, sesame oil chicken, and Anhui-style stewed dishes. The city blends Huizhou and northern Anhui flavors.
Shopping
Buy Anhui tea (Keemun, Huangshan Maofeng), Hefei sesame cakes, bamboo crafts, and Huizhou ink and inkstones. Major shopping areas include Pedestrian Street and Wanda Plaza.
Local Vibe & Fun Facts
Local Vibe: Hefei is the quiet overachiever of eastern China. Once known as a sleepy provincial capital, it is now a booming tech and science hub. Locals are practical, proud of their universities, and surprisingly loyal to stinky mandarin fish and duck fat biscuits.
Fun Facts:
• Hefei is the birthplace of the quantum communication satellite Micius and hosts the University of Science and Technology of China, one of the country's top science schools.
• The city has transformed from a manufacturing base into a center for AI, electric cars, and quantum computing.
• Lord Bao, the famous honest official of the Song dynasty, held office in Hefei and is buried in the city's Bao Park.
Speak Like a Local
Hefei locals speak their own flavor of Mandarin. Try these phrases to earn a smile:
搞七廿三 (gǎo qī niàn sān) — Making a mess / causing trouble — classic Hefei slang.
不顶龙 (bù dǐng lóng) — Not making sense / unreliable.
好讲讲 (hǎo jiǎng jiang) — Good to talk / easy to discuss.
Famous People
• Bao Zheng (Lord Bao) — The legendary incorruptible judge of the Song dynasty served in Hefei and is one of China's most beloved historical figures.
• Li Hongzhang — The powerful late Qing diplomat and statesman was born in Hefei's rural area.
• Yang Zhenning — Nobel Prize-winning physicist studied and taught at the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei.
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