Overview
Hefei, the capital of Anhui province, is one of China's quietly rising cities — green, lake-fringed and blending Song dynasty history with a booming university and technology scene. For UK travellers it makes a calm base for exploring eastern China, with Lake Chaohu on the doorstep and Huangshan within reach by train. There are no direct flights to Hefei from the UK, but one-stop connections through Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou or a Gulf hub are straightforward. See the price charts on this page before you book.
Best time to fly to Hefei
Hefei has a humid subtropical climate. Spring (April to May) and autumn (late September to November) are the most comfortable seasons, with mild days and lighter rain — best for parks, lakes and day trips. Summers are hot and humid, including a "plum rain" wet spell in June and July, while winters are cold and damp rather than snowy. Fares climb around Chinese New Year (late January or February) and the early-October National Day holiday; the When to book chart above shows the quieter, cheaper weeks.
Airlines and routes
No airline flies direct from the UK to Hefei, so you will make at least one connection. Common choices include China Eastern or Virgin Atlantic via Shanghai, Air China via Beijing, China Southern via Guangzhou, and Emirates or Qatar Airways via Dubai or Doha, each with an onward domestic leg. London to Shanghai takes roughly 11 to 12 hours, followed by a 90-minute flight or a two to three hour high-speed train on to Hefei; total journey time is usually 16 to 20 hours. It pays to compare hubs, as the routing affects both price and total travel time.
Things to do in Hefei
Hefei rewards slow exploration, mixing ancient sites with green space and water.
- Lord Bao Memorial Park: riverside gardens honouring Bao Zheng, the famously incorruptible Song dynasty judge born in the city.
- Xiaoyaojin Park: landscaped lakeside park on the site of a celebrated Three Kingdoms battle.
- Anhui Museum: wide-ranging collections on Huizhou culture, ancient bronzes and regional history.
- Lake Chaohu: one of China's largest freshwater lakes, known for hot springs and sunsets.
- Sanhe Ancient Town: canals, stone bridges and Huizhou architecture about an hour from the centre.
At Hefei Xinqiao International Airport (HFE)
Hefei's airport lies around 31 km north-west of the city centre. Airport shuttle buses run to the main railway stations and central districts in about 60 minutes, while a taxi or ride-hail into town takes 40 to 50 minutes. Hefei is also a major high-speed rail hub: once in the city you can reach Nanjing in about an hour and Shanghai or Huangshan in two to three hours.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Hefei
- Book around two to five months ahead — last-minute long-haul fares to China are rarely a bargain.
- Fly midweek where you can; Tuesday and Wednesday departures often undercut weekends.
- Keep your dates flexible and use the price charts on this page to pinpoint the cheapest weeks.
- Compare connecting hubs — a Shanghai or Gulf routing can beat a Beijing one, or the other way round.
Travel essentials
Most UK passport holders need a visa to visit mainland China, usually a tourist (L) visa arranged before you travel — though transit and visa-free rules have been changing, so check the latest FCDO advice and your nearest Chinese visa centre. The currency is the Chinese yuan, or renminbi (CNY); mobile payment apps such as Alipay and WeChat Pay are used almost everywhere and now accept linked overseas cards, but carry some cash as a backup. No vaccinations are required for entry from the UK; see NHS Fit for Travel for routine advice and take out travel insurance covering medical care.
