Anhui, with a population of over 59 million, is an inland province in Southeast China. It stretches over the Yangtze River and Huai River, and is adjacent to six provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Henan and Shandong. Hefei City, the capital of the province, has many attractions as a result of its 2,000 years of history.

What to see

Covering an area of 130,000 square kilometers (50,200 square miles), Anhui boasts of abundant tourism resources, and is a top tourist attraction among many in the Southeast, such as: the amazing Mount Huangshan, famous for its towering pines, precipitous stones, wonderland cloud-sea and hot springs; Mount Jiuhua, one of the four famous Buddhist Mountains in China; Mount Tian Zhu, also a well-known scenic spot. The magnificence of these peaks is simply stupendous. Standing on top of any one of these peaks would overwhelm most trekkers with a sight to behold. In addition to the beautiful mountain scenery, the well-preserved ancient villages in Southern Anhui are derived from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). The most impressive ones are in Xidi and Hongcun in Yixian County near Mount Huangshan. It is really a sight worth seeing and a must for visitors who are keen to learn more about life during those years. Shexian County, reputed as Town of Arches, is also a must for each visitor who wants to experience fine examples of residential architecture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the unique Tangyue Memorial Archway.

When to go

Anhui intrigues and astonishes tourists with its marvelous scenery and centuries-old cultural relics. Annual average temperature is between
14C and 17C. The best time to visit these scenic areas is in autumn (September, October, and November) and spring (April, May and June). However, the snow scenery of Huangshan is absolutely fascinating so if you enjoy the snow, it's best to come during the winter.

Anhui is also well known for its various craftworks, such as rice paper, ink stone and Chinese ink. Together, they form the precious Chinese four treasures of literary pursuits.

From: www.travelchinaguide.com