5 hidden gem road trip destinations around Hefei! All within 1.5 hours
Here are the highlights: departing from downtown Hefei, the entire drive takes no more than 1.5 hours! 🕐 These 5 stunning destinations include lakeside camping, Jianghuai-style water towns, authentic ancient streets, scenic wetlands, and island lakes, and 4 of them are free! Whether you're into photography 📸, camping 🏕️, food tours 🍜, or hiking 🚶♀️, a one- or two-day short trip is absolutely perfect.
1. Feidong Hongshizui Park | Hefei's "Little Erhai" 🌊 (40-minute drive | Free)
✅ Highlights: Large lawns and unique rocky beaches along the Chaohu Lake shoreline, the ultimate spot for sunsets in Hefei! 🌅 It's perfect for camping, picnicking, and flying kites. It's spacious and uncrowded, and every photo looks like a stunning coastal shot. 🎬
✅ Must-dos: Set up a tent on the lakeside lawn 🏕️, take photos of the stunning sunset at the rocky beach, and take a leisurely stroll along the lake.
✅ Food: After you're tired, head straight to Liujiaban to taste authentic overseas Chinese hometown Hutou chicken 🐔 and fresh Chaohu Lake seafood 🦐.
💡 Tips: Parking is free. It gets crowded on weekend afternoons, so arrive early to grab a spot if you want to watch the sunset. Don't forget sun protection! ☀️
2. Feixi Sanhe Ancient Town | 5A-rated free water town 🏘️ (50-minute drive | Free admission to the ancient town)
✅ Highlights: The only 5A-rated ancient town in Hefei. Located at the confluence of three rivers, with white walls, black tiles, and small bridges over flowing water, it's like a Jianghuai version of a southern water town 🏞️. It's full of local life and has even been featured on the Spring Festival Gala!
✅ Must-dos: Wander through Yiren Alley, Wangyue Bridge, and Wanniantai. You can take a sculling boat 🛶 (extra charge) and visit the Former Residence of Yang Zhenning (internal attractions require a combined ticket).
✅ Food: Sanhe rice dumplings 🥟, rice wine 🍶, Niupi candy 🍬, and Sanhe stir-fry 🥬—you'll definitely leave full!
💡 Tips: The ancient town streets are free to explore; only the internal exhibition halls charge a fee. The red lantern night view in the evening 🌆 is incredibly atmospheric and perfect for photos!
3. Chaohu Zhegao Ancient Town | Ancient morning tea street with a thousand-year history 🥟 (1-hour drive | Free)
✅ Highlights: A hidden gem of an ancient town that's overlooked because of its name. It's completely uncommercialized! It retains a complete Ming and Qing dynasty old street and is the best-preserved group of ancient residences in central Anhui. It's famous for authentic Jianghuai morning tea, a local secret 🤫.
✅ Must-dos: Stroll along Beizha Old Street 🚶♂️, visit the Li Hongzhang Pawnshop 🏛️, and enjoy an authentic morning tea in town.
✅ Food: Egg potstickers 🥟, cold shredded tofu skin 🥢, stir-fried noodle skins 🍜, and three-delicacy soup 🥣. Great value and super satisfying!
💡 Tips: Morning tea is only served in the morning, so be sure to go early. The old street isn't long; a leisurely 2-hour stroll is just right.
4. Lujiang Jintang Lake Wetland Park | A secret lakeside landscape 🏞️ (1-hour drive | Free)
✅ Highlights: A lake surrounded by mountains with wide-open waters. It features lakeside wooden boardwalks, shallow beaches, and grassy camping grounds. The landscape atmosphere is top-notch! It's quiet and uncrowded, perfect for relaxing and picnicking 🧺.
✅ Must-dos: Hike along the lakeside trail 🚶♀️, camp by the lake ⛺, and visit the popular "Lonely Bookstore" 📚. In summer, you can also enjoy water activities (extra charge).
✅ Food: Tangchi chicken soup 🥣, Lujiang "little red head" dumplings 🥟, and farm-style wild vegetables 🥬.
💡 Tips: Free parking. After the rain, a light mist rises over the lake 🌫️, creating a breathtaking ink-wash painting effect!
5. Shucheng, Lu'an · Wanfo Lake | The "Thousand Island Lake" of western Anhui 🏝️ (1.2-hour drive | Paid)
✅ Highlights: A 5A-rated lake view with thousands of small islands scattered across the water. Taking a boat tour of the islands is amazing! The lake is emerald green and surrounded by mountains. The water scenery rivals Thousand Island Lake, making it perfect for family trips 👨👩👧👦.
✅ Must-dos: Take a large boat to visit Yanzi Island 🐦 and Zhouyu Island 🤴, see the world's largest artificial earth dam 🏗️, and watch the sunset by the lake 🌅.
✅ Food: Wanfo Lake fish head 🐟, farmhouse cured meat 🥩, and dried sweet potatoes 🍠—so delicious it'll blow your mind!
💡 Tips: Buying a combined ticket for admission and the boat ride is more cost-effective. The islands are flat and easy to walk, suitable for both seniors and children.
Two recommended road trip routes (departing from downtown Hefei) 🚗
Option A: One-day leisure and photography route (suitable for friends/couples 👫)
Morning: Camping at Hongshizui Park + photographing Chaohu Lake scenery 🌊
Noon: Eat lake seafood at Liujiaban 🦐
Afternoon: Explore the water town at Sanhe Ancient Town and visit the ancient bridges 🏘️
Evening: Return trip, catch the sunset in the city on the way back 🌆
Option B: One-day landscape and culture route (suitable for families/hikers 👨👩👧👦)
Morning: Morning tea at Zhegao Ancient Town + stroll through the Ming and Qing old street 🥟
Noon: Eat farm-style food in Lujiang 🥬
Afternoon: Walk around Jintang Lake and have a picnic by the lake 🧺
Optional upgrade: If you have extra time, switch to a boat tour of the islands at Wanfo Lake 🚤
Option C: Two-day slow-paced relaxing trip (suitable for a weekend getaway 😴)
Day 1: Hongshizui + Sanhe Ancient Town, stay at a Feixi homestay at night 🏡
Day 2: Zhegao morning tea → Jintang Lake landscape walk, easy return trip 🚗
General travel tips 👀
1. All destinations are within a 1.5-hour drive. Highway and national road conditions are smooth, beginner-friendly 👌
2. 4 attractions are free; only Wanfo Lake charges a fee. Great value for money 💰
3. Seasonal choice: Spring/Summer is best for camping at Hongshizui and water activities at Jintang Lake 🏄♂️; Autumn is best for ancient towns + Wanfo Lake views 🍂
Would you like me to create an hour-by-hour itinerary + a list of must-eat food along the way for you? 🤩