Magnificent landscapes, mountains and rivers
Anhui is above all a province sculpted by nature, where towering mountains and winding rivers shape landscapes of spellbinding beauty. Here, nature reigns supreme, offering panoramas that seem straight out of a traditional Chinese painting, where misty peaks, vivid waterfalls and deep forests mingle.
Mount Huangshan, nicknamed the Yellow Mountains, is without doubt the province's most emblematic natural site. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famous for its spectacular rock formations, wind-sculpted pine trees and seas of clouds enveloping the peaks. Climbing these mountains is an unforgettable experience, especially for those who come to watch the sunrise from the Lotus Peak (1,864 m) or the Peak of Light, where the spectacle of the glowing star emerging from the waves of mist is breathtaking. Beyond the peaks, the Xihai Grand Canyon (西海大峡谷, Xīhǎi Dà Xiágǔ), a labyrinth of sheer cliffs, suspended paths and bridges clinging to the void, adds an even more dramatic touch to this mythical environment.
But there's more to Anhui than Huangshan. Other sacred mountains dot the province, offering panoramas as sublime as they are varied. Mount Jiuhua, one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, is a veritable spiritual sanctuary, where over 90 temples clinging to the cliffs attract pilgrims from all over the world. Its steep paths lead to ancient pagodas and meditation caves, lending the place a mystical, solemn aura.
Less frequented but just as impressive, Mount Tianzhu is a masterpiece of nature. Its sheer rock faces, vertiginous waterfalls and dense forests make it an ideal site for lovers of hiking and unspoilt scenery. Some trails offer spectacular views of vertiginous precipices, while others allow you to explore Buddhist caves adorned with millennia-old sculptures.
More mysterious, Mount Qiyun is one of China's most important Taoist sites. This massif, renowned for its rock-cut temples, is also home to countless inscriptions engraved by ancient scholars, some dating back several centuries. Here, visitors come in search of serenity and Taoist wisdom, wandering along peaceful paths that wind between cliffs and hanging pavilions.
Finally, Mount Langya (琅琊山, Lángyáshān), although more discreet, is a veritable haven of peace. It invites you on a bucolic escapade, where you'll discover ancient traditional pavilions nestled in the hollows of hills, bamboo forests cradled by the wind and crystal-clear waterfalls where time seems suspended.
But Anhui is also a land of water, where rivers and lakes magnify the landscape. One of the most famous is Taohuatan (桃花潭风景区, Táohuātán Fēngjǐng Qū), or "lake of peach blossoms", a haven of serenity where the water reflects the vibrant colors of cherry blossoms in spring, creating a picture of ephemeral, poetic beauty. More wild and spectacular, the Longyang Gorge plunges visitors into a setting of steep canyons, where vertiginous cliffs dominate an impetuous river reminiscent of the great landscapes of Tibet.
Anhui, with its sacred mountains, peaceful rivers and spectacular landscapes, offers a veritable visual odyssey, where every peak and valley tells a thousand-year-old story inscribed in stone and water.
Historic villages and architectural heritage
Anhui is a veritable time capsule, where you can still admire villages frozen in the past, bearing witness to the architectural refinement and prosperity of the wealthy merchants of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. These picturesque villages, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are models of traditional urban planning, where every cobbled lane, stone bridge and courtyard house tells the story of the region.
Among these architectural gems, Xidi and Hongcun are the most emblematic of the Huizhou style, characterized by upturned gabled roofs, whitewashed walls and finely sculpted courtyards. Hongcun, in particular, is famous for its ox-shaped layout, a symbolic design in which the winding lanes represent the intestines, the stone bridge represents the tail and the central lake plays the role of the stomach. This unique layout, inherited from the principles of feng shui, gives the village a perfect harmony with its natural surroundings. A stroll along Moon Lake at sunrise, when the white-fronted houses are reflected in the tranquil water, is a sight of rare beauty.
Xidi, meanwhile, is a veritable labyrinth of cobbled lanes, where ancestral houses compete in elegance with their finely carved doors, solid wood pillars and beams richly decorated with floral and mythological motifs. Founded in the Song dynasty and flourishing under the Ming, the village was once the heart of an important trading crossroads, where merchants traded tea, timber and Xuan paper with the region's major cities. Even today, it's still possible to visit a number of notables' mansions, preserved in their original state, and to observe the ancient stone memorial arches that mark the entrances to the most prestigious quarters.
Huizhou's old town, once a major commercial and administrative center of the region, retains an impressive heritage of temples, memorial arches and aristocratic residences. A stroll through its alleyways reveals the remains of a flourishing trading city, where silk and ceramics merchants built veritable urban palaces to flaunt their prosperity. Pagodas, shrines dedicated to ancestors and the meeting halls of trading guilds bear witness to a golden age when Huizhou was one of the most influential cities in southern China.
Another pearl of the province, Sanhe (三河古镇, Sānhé Gǔzhèn), a former merchant town, unveils an enchanting urban landscape, punctuated by canals lined with traditional houses and arched stone bridges. This bucolic setting, reminiscent of Suzhou or Tongli, allows you to explore a network of cobbled alleyways, where century-old boutiques, Taoist temples and teahouses with carved wooden balconies follow one another.
On a more intimate note, the Longchuan village in Jixi (绩溪龙川村, Jìxī Lóngchuān Cūn) is the birthplace of the powerful Hu clan, one of Anhui's most influential families. Its strikingly beautiful ancestral temple is a masterpiece of Huizhou architecture, housing commemorative steles and richly decorated halls, where successive generations came to pay homage to their forebears. The village is also renowned for its finely crafted stone bridges spanning peaceful rivers, creating an atmosphere of serenity conducive to contemplation.
Finally, the village of Chaji (查济村, Chájí Cūn), still untouched by mass tourism, is a veritable sanctuary of Anhui's rural way of life. Here, century-old houses are still inhabited by families who perpetuate craft and farming traditions handed down for generations. Visitors can observe ancestral tea-making techniques, explore thatched granaries and soak up the peaceful rhythm of village life, where time seems to stand still.
Far from modern metropolises, these historic villages offer a fascinating immersion in a China of yesteryear, where traditions endure and heritage is jealously preserved. Between sophisticated architecture, cobbled streets and bucolic landscapes, Anhui reveals one of the finest expressions of its cultural and architectural heritage.
Unique know-how and a preserved culture
One of Anhui's most precious treasures is undoubtedly the manufacture of Xuan paper, a traditional Chinese paper of exceptional finesse, prized by the country's calligraphers and painters for over a thousand years. This know-how, part of China's intangible cultural heritage, is closely linked to the Jingxian region, considered the historical cradle of this exceptional production.
Xuan paper is renowned for its light yet resistant texture, capable of absorbing ink with perfect fluidity while maintaining a smooth, durable surface. Its elasticity and ability to resist yellowing over time make it the medium of choice for artistic works and high-value documents. The manufacture of this paper relies on a long and meticulous process, involving over a hundred steps, which are handed down from generation to generation.
It all begins with the rigorous selection of raw materials. Xuan paper is made from a blend of rice straw and blue sandalwood bark, a specific variety of tree that grows in the mountains of Anhui. After harvesting, the bark is soaked in water for several months to extract the purest fibers, then mixed with the straw, which gives the paper its suppleness and strength.
The manufacturing process is entirely artisanal, using methods perfected over the centuries. Once the fibers have been extracted, they are beaten, sieved and stretched by hand to form a homogeneous paste. This is then poured onto bamboo sieves, where it is gently drained and dried in the sun, giving rise to the first sheets of paper. A final step is to press each sheet by hand, ensuring a perfectly smooth surface and uniform thickness.
In the city of Jingxian, the Xuan Paper Cultural Park (泾县宣纸文化园, Jīngxiàn Xuānzhǐ Wénhuà Yuán) is dedicated to the preservation and transmission of this ancestral art. This immersive center allows visitors to witness all stages of production, from fiber processing to final sheet assembly. Demonstrations are regularly given by craftsmen who share their skills with passion, explaining the differences between the various types of Xuan paper, which can be more or less fine, glossy or textured, depending on their intended use.
Far from being a simple writing medium, Xuan paper is a symbol of Chinese refinement and culture. It is used by the great masters of calligraphy and traditional painting, who appreciate its ability to hold ink without smudging, while sublimating each brushstroke. Its prestige extends far beyond the borders of Anhui, and even today it remains an essential element in Chinese art, retaining its status as a national treasure on a par with Jingdezhen porcelain or Jiangsu silk.
Thus, Xuan paper is much more than a simple craft: it's a thousand-year-old heritage of Anhui excellence and craftsmanship, which continues to fascinate and inspire art lovers the world over.
Mountain cuisine with intense flavours
Anhui cuisine, although less famous than that of Sichuan or Guangdong, is one of the eight great Chinese culinary traditions. It is distinguished by its use of natural ingredients from mountains and rivers, with a predominance of simmered dishes that exalt the authentic flavours of local produce. Crossed by numerous rivers and covered by lush forests, the province abounds in freshwater fish, bamboo shoots, wild mushrooms and medicinal herbs, which are at the heart of its gastronomy.
One of its signature dishes is braised chicken with ginger and wild herbs, a traditional dish whose slow cooking allows the flavors to develop in depth. The meat is simmered with ingredients such as mountain licorice, goji berries and Chinese angelica root, giving the dish notes that are both sweet and slightly bitter. Another local specialty, roast Mandarin duck is prepared with a marinade of honey and soy sauce before being slow-cooked over a wood fire, giving it a crispy skin and tender, juicy flesh.
Tofu also plays an essential role in Anhui cuisine. The best-known is Wuhu fermented tofu, whose powerful smell contrasts with its soft texture and umami-rich taste. Another intriguing specialty is Huangshan "hairy" tofu, named after the fine white fuzz that develops during fermentation. It is then pan-fried with garlic and chilli, providing a tasty contrast between its crispy exterior and melting heart.
Anhui's rivers provide an abundance of freshwater fish and seafood, notably the stinking mandarin fish (Chou Guiyu), renowned for its delicate flesh and often served in a soup flavored with mountain herbs. More original, the marriage between aquatic products and tea culture is a local peculiarity. Freshwater prawns sautéed with Lu'an green tea are a prized specialty, where the herbal notes of the tea enhance the natural sweetness of the shellfish.
The province's mountains abound in rare ingredients that enrich the local cuisine. Wild mushrooms, notably morels and black mushrooms, are used in soups with deep aromas, while bamboo shoots are sautéed with smoked pork or simmered in a chili-spiced broth. A popular side dish, bamboo shoots marinated in vinegar are often served with white rice to balance the flavors.
Anhui also has a rich tradition of steamed breads and pastries. Specialties include Laba Doubao, a brioche filled with red bean paste and walnuts, eaten during the Laba Festival. Another typical sweet is Jixi's honey glutinous rice cakes, often flavoured with jujube or black sesame.
Finally, the province is renowned for its tea, especially the famous Lu'an Guapian green tea, with its flat, oval leaves and delicate, slightly sweet taste. Huangshan Maofeng, grown on the misty slopes of the Yellow Mountains, is another local treasure, prized for its fresh, floral notes. Tea is not limited to drinking: it is also used in cooking, as in eggs simmered in smoked tea, which develop deep, woody aromas.
Just like its landscapes, Anhui's cuisine combines rusticity and refinement, honoring the treasures of local nature. Its slow, fragrant cooking and intense flavors reveal the authenticity of a province where the art of eating well is rooted in tradition.
Conclusion
Anhui is a province where nature and history blend in perfect harmony. Between mystical mountains, villages frozen in time, perched temples and ancestral crafts, it offers a fascinating immersion in traditional China.
A trip here means stepping back in time and exploring a thousand-year-old culture, where every path, every stone and every dish tells an ancestral story.
