Nestled in the heart of China, Anhui province beckons with its enchanting landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Known for its ancient villages, picturesque mountains, and distinctive cuisine, Anhui offers a captivating journey that unveils hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Join us as we travel on a captivating exploration of Anhui’s unique allure, uncovering the stories, traditions, cultural treasures and natural beauty that make it a true gem of China.
An Introduction to Anhui: A Glimpse of its Unique Charm
Anhui is situated in the east of China and borders the Yangtze River. It’s named after its two cities, Anqing and Huangshan. Huizhou has an important place in Chinese history and culture, making it a great place to explore. Not only that, Anhui has lots of other great activities to check out. Whether you want to relax in the picturesque mountains and rivers, or go on a meaningful trip with different experiences such as hiking, taking photos, learning about religion, Chinese philosophy, architecture, food, opera, etcAnhui has it all. Here are some reasons why you should visit Anhui:
Yellow Mountain – Huangshan City’s Yellow Mountain (or Mount Huang) is a must-see in Anhui Province. It’s been featured in plenty of Chinese tourist brochures and it’s easy to see why: the majestic peaks, spectacular stones, mysterious fogs, and gorgeous pines make it an incredible sight!
Jihua Mountain – Yellow Mountain provides a stunning view of the Chinese landscape, while Jiuhua Mountain is a popular destination among Buddhists, as it’s the home of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. People who visit here for a spiritual experience are often followed by those who come to experience the culture of the area.
Ancient Villages – In Anhui, especially the old Huizhou area, there are loads of gorgeous villages with traditional Hui-style buildings. The white walls and grey tiles look amazing, plus you get a bonus of orange persimmons, red lanterns, and heaps of different grains – it’s an amazing spot for some awesome pics!
Food – Anhui often uses ingredients found in the nearby hills. The cooking time and temperature are very precisely monitored, resulting in delicious dishes. Anhui is also known for its quality teas, such as Huangshan Maofeng Tea, Qimen Black Tea, and Taiping Houkui Tea.
Journeying Through Anhui’s Ancient Villages and Historic Sites
No doubt, Huangshan Mountain is still the most popular tourist spot in Anhui Province. But the two ancient villages of Xidi and Hongcun are gradually gaining attention as great places to visit. Both were listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 2000, and are perfect for anyone looking for an escape from the busy cities. Even though they’re close together, Xidi and Hongcun each have their own special characteristics; Hongcun Village looks like a real-life Chinese painting, and Xidi is known for its gorgeous street layout and ancestral temples. People have even referred to Xidi as a “Peach Blossom Land”, a paradise-like utopia in Chinese literature.
Hongcun Village – Hongcun, situated in Yi County of Huangshan, is famous for its traditional Anhui-style architecture and layout. Its fame skyrocketed when it was featured in the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The village is designed like an ox, with Leigang hill as the head, four bridges as the legs and the houses as the body.
Xidi Village – Xidi Village has been around for nearly 900 years. It’s just 40 km from Huangshan and it used to be populated by people who shared the same surname, Hu. Nowadays, it’s home to around three hundred households and more than a thousand full-time residents.
Nature’s Bounty: Exploring Anhui’s Scenic Mountains
Anhui is packed with different kinds of landscapes – wide plains, massive lakes and towering mountain peaks. It is home to over 60 million folks, and its most renowned spot is Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain, which stands at an impressive 1,864m. Huangshan has been written about in Chinese literature and art for centuries, and it’s still one of the country’s top tourist destinations. In the south, you’ve got the mountains, and everywhere else in Anhui is pretty flat, with lots of lakes, plains, and the Yangtze and Huai Rivers cutting through it.
Dabie Mountain – The Dabie Mountains go from southwest to northeast, beginning in Anhui and going into Henan and Hubei. They separate Anhui and Hubei. The tallest peak is called Tianzhu Shan, which used to be called Mount Wan. It’s so well-known that people still use the character ‘Wan’ to refer to Anhui.
Jihua – Jiuhua Shan was a hub of Buddhism for over a thousand years and during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was home to 300 temples and thousands of monks and nuns. Nowadays, it’s a popular tourist spot, with gorgeous scenery, many historic temples, and a huge 325 foot tall golden Buddha statue.
Tianzhu – Tianzhu Shan is a well-known Anhui peak that has been talked about since ancient times. It was originally referred to as Mount Wan, which is now what Anhui province is known as. Although the terrain isn’t as dramatic as Huangshan, Tianzhu Shan has some of the same granite spire formations.
Huanshan – Huangshan is like a legendary spot in Chinese history – it was given its official name in 747 CE and since then has been a popular topic in paintings, poems and folk tales. All up, it’s got 77 peaks, with over 70 of them reaching over 1000 metres (3280 feet). It’s also known for its incredible cloud inversions, when the peaks rise above the clouds, plus the ancient pines that grow almost straight up out of the rock walls.
Culinary Adventures: Delving into Anhui’s Distinctive Cuisine
Hui cuisine has been around for centuries – it originated in Anhui Province’s Shexian County over a thousand years ago. This type of Chinese cooking is known for its fresh, natural ingredients and mild taste. It’s a great way to get energized naturally!
Stinky Mandarin Fish – This mandarin fish dish from Anhui province is a real crowd-pleaser – it’s marinated and cooked in a tasty sauce. It may not smell the best, but it’s worth it – the fish meat is really tender and comes off the bones easily.
Fried Hairy Tofu – This is made with fermented tofu that has white fuzz growing on top. When pan-fried, it turns a golden color and has a mild flavor. Folks usually dip it in chili sauce when they eat it.
Steamed Partridge – In Huangshan, Anhui, partridge is a local delicacy. The steamed partridge dish is really flavourful with its light broth and juicy meat, plus it’s packed with nutrients like protein and calcium.
Steamed Bamboo Shoots of Wenzheng Mountain – The bamboo shoots have a salty yet sweet taste. Adding hams and mushrooms really boosts the flavor and makes the dish look even more appetizing.
Anhui is a province that is full of wonder and beauty. If you are looking for an unforgettable travel experience, be sure to add Anhui to your list. You won’t be disappointed.
The province is home to a rich history, dating back thousands of years. You can visit ancient cities like Huangshan and Jiuhuashan, or explore the many temples and monasteries that dot the landscape.
Anhui is also home to some of the most stunning natural beauty in China. The Huangshan Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and are known for their unique peaks and rock formations. The Jiuhua Mountains are also a popular destination, and are home to many Buddhist temples.
No matter what you are looking for in a travel experience, you will find it in Anhui. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!
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