The 800-square-kilometer Chaohu Lake outside Hefei resembles a heart-shaped crystal, exuding a rustic and natural charm as it lies far from towering skyscrapers. Scattered along its shores are well-arranged villages and houses, making it a popular weekend getaway for Hefei locals. Even first-time visitors to Hefei can discover natural scenery by the lake that differs from the urban landscape. Traveling from Hefei along the northern shore of Chaohu to downtown Chaohu is a convenient self-drive route, featuring smooth roads and ample parking. Public transportation is also a viable option for this journey.

Strolling Through Changlinhe Old Street and Enjoying Wild Vegetable Cakes

Just 30 kilometers from downtown Hefei, the Changlinhe Ancient Town by Chaohu Lake has preserved a remarkably intact Ming and Qing dynasty street layout. Three ancient streets lined with elegant and unadorned blue-brick houses are among the reasons this small town attracts visitors.

The town is situated where the Changlin River flows into Chaohu Lake. During the early Ming dynasty, the military-civilian land reclamation policy brought many migrants from Jiangxi to cultivate the northern shore of Chaohu, giving rise to the town. From the late Qing dynasty to the Republican era, the town flourished due to its convenient land and water transportation, bustling with commerce and travelers, earning it the nickname "Little Shanghai."

Now, the small town, having undergone tourism planning and development, is far from deserted. Elderly grandparents still live quiet lives in the old streets and houses. An hour is enough for a leisurely stroll around the town. You can also visit the Changlinhe Folk Museum to learn about the town’s past, check out vintage newspapers at the Juxian Old Newspapers Museum, send a postcard to your future self at the Century-Old Post Office, or chat with the elderly gentleman who tends to the Niu Jiahai Paper-Cutting Art. On Sundays, the century-old Christian Church on East Street hosts choir performances accompanied by a pipe organ.

At the entrance of the ancient town, several locally-run restaurants serve authentic Chaohu-style dishes, where dishes featuring fish, shrimp, crab, salted meat, and seasonal wild vegetables are all worth trying. On weekends and holidays, locals set up stalls along the streets selling dried aquatic products and fresh fruits and vegetables. The freshly fried wild vegetable cakes and shrimp pancakes from the snack stalls are also delicious.

There's no need to deliberately seek nostalgia—the Liuzhen Photo Studio in the middle of the old street is an 80-year-old traditional photo studio. The owner still uses vintage film cameras and developing equipment to take photos for the longtime residents of the town. You can also stop by for a unique experience.

Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Ancient Town open 24 hours; Exhibition Halls 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, 1:30 PM–5:00 PM
Address: Changlinhe Town, Feidong County, Hefei City
Public Transport: Take the metro to Tangxihe Park Station from downtown Hefei, then transfer to Bus 308 and alight at Changlinhe Bus Station to reach the South Gate of the ancient town.

Sunset at the Zhenhu Pagoda in Hongshizui Park

Leaving Changlinhe Ancient Town and continuing south along the Lakeside Avenue, you'll arrive at Red Stone Beak Park by the lake in less than 5 kilometers. The park features almost no artificial structures, showcasing the rustic charm of a rural fishing village, making it perfect for leisurely strolls, unwinding, and photography. The lake lies directly to the west of the shore, so this lakeside park offers the best vantage point for capturing sunset views over the water.

Don’t miss the Zhenhu Pagoda to the north of the park. This seven-story brick pagoda was initially built in the late Ming Dynasty and was later completed in the late Qing Dynasty by the prominent Wu family of Liujiafan, serving as a feng shui pagoda for the village.

Admission: Free
Opening Hours: Ancient village open 24 hours; exhibition halls from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Address: Qianxi Village, Liujiafan, Changlinhe Town, Feidong County, Hefei City
Public Transport: Take Bus 308 from Changlinhe Bus Station and alight at Pagoda Station, then it is recommended to take a taxi (2.5 km) to the park.

Visit Liujiafan to Admire the Residence of a Prominent Late Qing Dynasty Official

Starting from Liujiafan Village, continue south along Binhu Avenue for about 7 kilometers to reach Zhongmiao. With a town by the lake and islands in the water, this area has become the most classic travel destination along the shores of Chaohu Lake.

Laoshan Island

If the northern shore of Lake Chao is likened to a necklace, Laoshan Island is the pearl at its center. Named after the Taoist goddess Jiao Lao, this small island resembles a leaf-shaped boat. The waterfront promenade encircling the island offers a 360-degree immersive view of Lake Chao’s scenery. Alternatively, you can climb the Wenfeng Pagoda at the island’s heart to gaze upon the shimmering waves of the vast lake from above.

Tickets: Round-trip mechanical boat ticket: 60 yuan; Round-trip speedboat ticket: 70 yuan;
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Address: South side of Zhongmiao Town, Chaohu City, Hefei
Public Transport: Take Bus 308 from Liujiafan Village to the terminal stop (Chaohu Laoshan Island Tourist Center), then walk 5 minutes to the ferry pier to board the boat to the island.

Zhongmiao Temple

Zhongmiao takes its name from Zhongmiao Temple, which was originally built during the Eastern Wu period of the Three Kingdoms era. The temple's current layout was restored and completed in the late Qing Dynasty under the direction of Li Hongzhang. Ascending to the viewing platform atop the temple, one can see Laoshan Island seemingly within reach, while the vast, misty waters of Lake Chao stretch into the distance.

Continuing east from Zhongmiao Temple, you can find the Zhaozong Ancestral Hall. Built in the 18th year of the Guangxu reign (1892), the hall was established to honor the fallen soldiers of the Huai Army under Li Hongzhang's command. The courtyard, shaded by towering ancient trees, features a free exhibition about the Huai Army, while the brick carvings adorning the structure are exceptionally exquisite.

The local cuisine of Zhongmiao offers a unique flavor, with many restaurants in the town specializing in "Three Whites of Chaohu": whitebait, white silk fish, and white shrimp.

Admission: 10 yuan
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Address: South of Zhongmiao Town, Chaohu City, Hefei, near the ferry terminal
Public Transport: Zhongmiao Town is small, and all attractions are within walking distance. The town also has dedicated bike lanes for shared bicycles.

Soaking in Hot Springs and Admiring Tulips at Chaohu

Chaohu City is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Hefei and also the final stop of this journey around Chaohu Lake. This small lakeside town boasts a long history, as it is where the legendary Youchao Clan taught their people to build houses and thrive. The urban area is named Yafu District, as it is also the hometown of Fan Zeng, the advisor whom Xiang Yu regarded as a father.

Chaohu City Museum

Today, the urban area of Chaohu is very quiet and livable. The Chaohu Museum on the eastern side of the city is worth a special visit. The museum is built around the Fangwanggang Han Dynasty Tomb, an ancient burial site that was never looted. A large number of exquisite artifacts were unearthed from this tomb, and the structure of the burial chamber has been completely preserved.

Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, closed on Mondays
Address: East end of Jiankang East Road, Juchao District, Chaohu City, Hefei
Public Transport: Take bus H103 from Zhongmiao Town to Chaohu Art Museum Station, then walk 10 minutes to reach the destination.

Bantang Hot Springs

In the northeastern part of the city, Bantang Hot Spring in Bantang Town is also a great destination for leisure and vacation. This hot spring has been a beloved bathing spot for celebrities and scholars since the Sui and Tang dynasties. The town boasts numerous bathhouses and hot spring pools, with Yuquanzhuang Hot Spring offering the best facilities, featuring an oriental-style garden and open-air forest soaking pools.

Address: Bantang Town, Chaohu City, Hefei
Public Transport: Taking a taxi from downtown Chaohu to Bantang Town is more convenient.

If you visit Chaohu between March and May, don’t miss the Bantang Tulip Highlands, located about 8 kilometers north of Bantang Town. The vibrant tulips here make it easy to snap stunning social media-worthy photos that give the illusion of being in the Netherlands.