Self-Driving Trips Around Hefei|6 Underrated Hidden Gems to Enjoy for Just 50 RMB Per Person
Hefei locals, don’t just lie around this weekend 🚗
These 6 off-the-beaten-path self-driving spots have fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and great food
The farthest is only 1.5 hours away, no crowds, no disappointments
Bookmark this guide and just go!
🌊 Chaohu Hongshizui Park
✅ Highlights: Hefei’s version of “Little Erhai”! A stunning sunset spot along Chaohu’s shoreline, with vast grasslands and rocky beaches perfect for photos, free camping, picnics, and lake views, the lake breeze is super healing
✅ Food: Farmhouse restaurants at the entrance serve Chaohu’s three delicacies (steamed white silk fish + scrambled silverfish eggs + white rice shrimp), fresh and only 35 RMB per person 🍤
✅ Route: Hefei city → Huan Chaohu Avenue → Hongshizui Park (about 40 min drive)
💡 Tip: Arrive around 5 PM to catch a breathtaking orange sea sunset 🌄
🪨 Feidong Sidingshan
✅ Highlights: Best panoramic view of Chaohu Lake! Easy hike up to 174 meters elevation, check out the unique Parrot Stone and Fishing Terrace rock formations along the way, enjoy the lake and sky merging at the summit, and the rhododendron sea on the mountainside is stunning in April-May
✅ Food: At the foot of the mountain in Liujiafan Ancient Town, try Qiaoxiang Tiger Head Chicken and loach noodles, plus steamed silverfish eggs that are incredibly fresh 🍳
✅ Route: Hefei → Baogong Avenue → Sidingshan Forest Park (about 1 hour drive)
💡 Tip: Parking costs 5 RMB/day, arrive early to avoid crowds, bring a light jacket as it’s windy at the top
♨️ Lujiang Tangchi Town
✅ Highlights: The hometown of Chinese hot springs! Soak in natural hot springs, stroll around Jintang Lake, visit the New Fourth Army Jiangbei Command Memorial, enjoy 60,000 acres of forest with abundant negative oxygen ions, and explore the ancient Baiyun Zen Temple
✅ Food: Tea-scented mandarin fish, Baihua vegetables, Lujiang redhead chicken, and Baiyun Chunhao green tea 🍵, farmhouse meals cost about 40 RMB per person and are very filling
✅ Route: Hefei → Jingtai Expressway → Tangchi Town (about 40 min drive)
💡 Tip: Choose Jin Kongque Hot Spring Resort for great value
📜 Chaohu Zhegao Ancient Town
✅ Highlights: The oldest ancient town in eastern Hefei with 2,500 years of history! Walk the old Beizha Street’s bluestone pavement, visit Li Hongzhang’s pawnshop, no commercialization, full of authentic local life, the town looks like an ink painting in the morning mist
✅ Food: Must-try Zhegao morning tea’s four classics (cold shredded tofu + fried noodle sheets + three-flavor crispy rice + egg potstickers) 🥢, the old brand Yinghuxuan offers a filling meal for 20 RMB per person, plus Yudai cake and handmade rice wine
✅ Route: Hefei → Huan Chaohu Avenue → Zhegao Old Street (about 1 hour drive)
💡 Tip: Arrive at 7:30 AM for morning tea, fewer people and perfect photo spots, bring Yudai cake as a souvenir
🌿 Lu’an Wanxi Grand Canyon
✅ Highlights: A secret spot in the Dabie Mountains! Trek through the Grand Canyon’s narrow sky corridor, climb rock walls for an exciting experience, peaceful forests and clustered waterfalls, pristine and less crowded, perfect for refreshing hikes
✅ Food: Lu’an local pot chicken with pancakes, Zhangdian stinky tofu, wormwood cakes 🌽, plus the Dabie Mountain hanging pot feast, all for about 50 RMB per person
✅ Route: Hefei → Hushan Expressway → Wanxi Grand Canyon (about 1.5 hours drive)
💡 Tip: Wear non-slip sports shoes, farmhouse food near the exit is very authentic
🏯 Shouxian Ancient City
✅ Highlights: A thousand-year-old Chu culture city! Climb the free ancient city walls, visit Anhui Chu Culture Museum to see the Chu Da Ding, enjoy the night light show on the moat, and explore the historic Feishui Battle ancient battlefield
✅ Food: Tofu banquet, Shouzhou meatballs, Dajiujia pastries 🍜, at Jiandao Alley try Huainan beef soup with crispy sesame flatbread, breakfast only 10 RMB per person
✅ Route: Hefei → Banghe Expressway → Shouxian Ancient City (about 1.5 hours drive)
💡 Tip: Chu Culture Museum is free but requires reservation, wearing Hanfu for photos is very photogenic
🚗 Super Practical Self-Driving Route Plans
1-Day Easy Tour (choose 2)
▪️ Lake View Route: Hongshizui Park → Sidingshan → Zhegao Ancient Town (morning tea)
▪️ Cultural Route: Zhegao Ancient Town → Shouxian Ancient City (explore the ancient city and enjoy tofu banquet)
2-Day Deep Tour
Day 1: Hongshizui Park → Sidingshan → Tangchi Town (hot spring soak and overnight)
Day 2: Wanxi Grand Canyon → Return trip (stop for hanging pot feast on the way)
💡 Travel Tips
1. Most attractions are free, only Wanxi Grand Canyon and Bagong Mountain charge admission, great value overall
2. Drive along Huan Chaohu Avenue for beautiful lake views and stop anytime for photos
3. Farmhouse dishes are large portions, order less but try more, 50 RMB per person to eat to your heart’s content
4. Best travel seasons are spring and autumn, comfortable temperatures, and beautiful flower and ginkgo seas
The beauty around Hefei really can’t be hidden ✨
No need to travel far, just drive out on the weekend to embrace lakes, mountains, and local life
Tag your foodie or travel buddy and set off this weekend 🚙