Anhui

Anhui Province located in the east of China, less than 3 hours from Shanghai by high-speed train. With Yangtze River and Huaihe River cross through from south and north of the province, it is divided into three parts: South Anhui, Middle Anhui, and North Anhui. Its typical semitropical climate makes it a place with distinct four seasons.

Anhui spans many geographical and cultural regions. The northern, flatter parts of the province, along the river Huai He and further north, are most akin to neighbouring provinces like Henan and Shandong. In contrast, the southern, hilly parts of the province are more similar in culture and dialect to other southern, hilly provinces, like Zhejiang and Jiangxi.

Huangmeixi, which originated in the environs of Anqing in southwestern Anhui, is a form of traditional Chinese opera popular across China. Huiju, a form of traditional opera originating in the Huizhou-speaking areas of southern Anhui, is one of the major precursors of Beijing Opera; in the 1950s, Huiju (which had disappeared) was revived. Luju is a type of traditional opera found across central Anhui, from east to west.

Anhui cuisine is one of the eight great traditions of Chinese cuisine. Combining elements of cooking from northern Anhui, south-central Anhui, and the Huizhou-speaking areas of southern Anhui, Anhui cuisine is known for its use of wild game and herbs, both land and sea, and comparatively simple methods of preparation.

Anhui has a high concentration of traditional products related to calligraphy: Xuanzhou (today Xuancheng) and Huizhou (today Huangshan City) are revered for producing Xuan Paper and Hui Ink, respectively, which are traditionally considered the best types of paper and ink for Chinese calligraphy. She County is famous for the She Inkstone, one of the most preferred types of inkstones (a required tool in traditional calligraphy).

Huangshan Yellow Mountain and Xidi and Hongcun two ancient villages in Southern Anhui - are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Other tourist attractions are Mount Jiuhua, Zhenfeng Pagoda, a Ming Dynasty pagoda in Anqing City; Zuiweng Pavilion, named after the poet Ouyang Xiu (1007−1072 CE).