A Gateway to Culture, Innovation, and Natural Grandeu
Anhui Province (安徽省) is an eastern inland province of China, strategically located between the Yangtze River and Huai River regions. Known for its rich cultural legacy, beautiful mountainous landscapes, and growing high-tech economy, Anhui is one of China’s rising powerhouses in both heritage and innovation.
Formation and Historical Background
- The name “Anhui” is derived from the combination of two ancient cities: Anqing and Huizhou.
- The region has been part of China’s central civilization since the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BCE).
- During the Qing Dynasty, Anhui was formally designated as a separate province.
- Anhui is also the birthplace of Hui culture, Confucian scholars, and the famous Huangmei Opera.
- It played an important role in revolutionary China and was instrumental in agricultural and industrial reforms.
Administrative Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Province Name | Anhui Province (安徽省) |
| Provincial Capital | Hefei (合肥市) |
| Location | Eastern China |
| Total Area | Approx. 139,600 sq. km |
| Population | 62+ million (2024 est.) |
| Time Zone | China Standard Time (UTC+8) |
| Abbreviation | 皖 (Wǎn) |
| ISO Code | CN-AH |
Government and Leadership
| Position | Current Officeholder (as of 2024) |
|---|---|
| Party Secretary | Han Jun (韩俊) |
| Governor | Wang Qingxian (王清宪) |
| Provincial Legislature | Anhui Provincial People’s Congress |
| Administrative Body | Anhui Provincial People’s Government |
Administrative Divisions of Anhui Province
Anhui Province is composed of 16 prefecture-level cities, which are further subdivided into districts (urban areas), counties (rural areas), and county-level cities (small self-governed cities).
1. Hefei (合肥市) – Capital City
- Districts: Yaohai (瑶海区), Luyang (庐阳区), Shushan (蜀山区), Baohe (包河区)
- Counties: Feidong (肥东县), Feixi (肥西县), Changfeng (长丰县), Lujiang (庐江县)
- County-level City: Chaohu (巢湖市)
2. Wuhu (芜湖市)
- Districts: Jinghu (镜湖区), Yijiang (弋江区), Jiujiang (鸠江区), Sanshan (三山区)
- Counties: Wuwei (无为县), Nanling (南陵县), Wuhu (芜湖县)
- County-level City: None
3. Bengbu (蚌埠市)
- Districts: Longzihu (龙子湖区), Bengshan (蚌山区), Yuhui (禹会区), Huaishang (淮上区)
- Counties: Guzhen (固镇县), Wuhe (五河县), Huaiyuan (怀远县)
4. Huainan (淮南市)
- Districts: Tianjia’an (田家庵区), Datong (大通区), Xiejiaji (谢家集区), Bagongshan (八公山区), Panji (潘集区)
- Counties: Fengtai (凤台县), Shou (寿县)
5. Ma’anshan (马鞍山市)
- Districts: Huashan (花山区), Yushan (雨山区), Bowang (博望区)
- County: Dangtu (当涂县), Hanshan (含山县), Hexian (和县)
6. Huaibei (淮北市)
- Districts: Xiangshan (相山区), Duji (杜集区), Lieshan (烈山区)
- County: Suixi (濉溪县)
7. Tongling (铜陵市)
- Districts: Tongguan (铜官区), Shizishan (狮子山区), Yi’an (义安区)
- County: Zongyang (枞阳县)
8. Anqing (安庆市)
- Districts: Yingjiang (迎江区), Daguan (大观区), Yixiu (宜秀区)
- Counties: Huaining (怀宁县), Qianshan (潜山县), Taihu (太湖县), Susong (宿松县), Wangjiang (望江县), Yuexi (岳西县)
- County-level Cities: Tongcheng (桐城市)
9. Huangshan (黄山市)
- Districts: Tunxi (屯溪区), Huangshan (黄山区), Huizhou (徽州区)
- Counties: Shexian (歙县), Xiuning (休宁县), Yixian (黟县), Qimen (祁门县)
10. Chuzhou (滁州市)
- Districts: Langya (琅琊区), Nanqiao (南谯区)
- Counties: Lai’an (来安县), Quanjiao (全椒县), Dingyuan (定远县), Fengyang (凤阳县)
- County-level Cities: Tianchang (天长市), Mingguang (明光市)
11. Fuyang (阜阳市)
- Districts: Yingzhou (颍州区), Yingdong (颍东区), Yingquan (颍泉区)
- Counties: Linquan (临泉县), Taihe (太和县), Funan (阜南县), Yingshang (颍上县)
- County-level Cities: Jieshou (界首市)
12. Suzhou (宿州市)
- Districts: Yongqiao (埇桥区)
- Counties: Dangshan (砀山县), Xiao (萧县), Lingbi (灵璧县), Si (泗县)
13. Lu’an (六安市)
- Districts: Jin’an (金安区), Yu’an (裕安区)
- Counties: Huoqiu (霍邱县), Shucheng (舒城县), Jinzhai (金寨县), Huoshan (霍山县), Yeji (叶集区)
14. Bozhou (亳州市)
- Districts: Qiaocheng (谯城区)
- Counties: Guoyang (涡阳县), Lixin (利辛县), Mengcheng (蒙城县)
15. Chizhou (池州市)
- Districts: Guichi (贵池区)
- Counties: Dongzhi (东至县), Shitai (石台县), Qingyang (青阳县)
16. Xuancheng (宣城市)
- Districts: Xuanzhou (宣州区)
- Counties: Langxi (郎溪县), Guangde (广德县), Jingde (泾县), Jixi (绩溪县), Ningguo (宁国市)
Summary
| Level | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Prefecture-level Cities | 16 |
| County-level Divisions | 105 |
| Township-level Divisions | 1,800+ |
Local Government Structure
- Each prefecture-level city has a People’s Government and Municipal Party Committee.
- Urban areas are managed by district governments, while rural zones are overseen by county and township governments.
- Local development, business registration, public utilities, urban planning, and law enforcement are handled by city-level agencies under provincial coordination.
Leadership & Governance
- Governor and Party Secretary oversee provincial policy implementation.
- Local Party Secretaries manage each prefecture and district.
- Grassroots governance exists through community committees and village administrations, especially in rural Anhui.
Law Enforcement & Safety
- Law and order are maintained by Anhui Provincial Public Security Department, working with local police bureaus in each prefecture.
- Emergency services include:
- 110 – Police
- 120 – Medical
- 119 – Fire
- Provincial-level People’s Procuratorate handles legal supervision and anti-corruption.
Economy & Industry
- Key sectors:
- Automobiles – Home to Chery Automobile in Wuhu
- Electronics & AI – Hefei hosts iFlyTek, a global AI firm
- Manufacturing & Steel – Ma’anshan and Tongling
- Textiles, Cement, Fertilizer, Agriculture
- Part of Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone, with fast-growing urban clusters
- GDP Growth (2023): Approx. 5.8%, among China’s higher-tier performers
Education & Institutions
- Top Universities:
- University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) – National key university
- Hefei University of Technology
- Anhui University
- Anhui Normal University
- High concentration of STEM research, AI labs, and vocational colleges
Healthcare
- Major hospitals in Hefei, Wuhu, Bengbu, and Ma’anshan
- Top-tier institutions:
- Anhui Provincial Hospital
- Hefei First People’s Hospital
- Hefei Cancer Hospital
- Rural medical outreach supported through community clinics and telemedicine
Transport & Connectivity
- High-speed rail hubs in Hefei, Bengbu, Wuhu, and Anqing
- Airports:
- Hefei Xinqiao International Airport
- Huangshan Tunxi International Airport
- Yangtze River access boosts port-based trade (Anqing Port, Wuhu Port)
- Connected to major cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan via expressways & rail
Tourism & Attractions
- Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountains) – UNESCO site, top tourist destination
- Ancient villages: Hongcun and Xidi
- Jiuhua Mountain – Buddhist pilgrimage site
- Tunxi Old Street, Chao Lake, Hefei Swan Lake, Anhui Museum
Culture & Lifestyle
- Birthplace of Hui culture, famous for:
- Huizhou architecture (white walls, grey tiles)
- Confucian teachings & merchant traditions
- Home to Huangmei Opera – one of China’s four major opera forms
- Local cuisine: Braised stinky mandarin fish, tofu dishes, wild herbs
- Traditional crafts: Inkstones, wood carving, calligraphy papers
Summary
Anhui Province reflects the essence of China’s transformation—from ancient culture to high-tech progress. Whether exploring the foggy peaks of Mount Huangshan, researching quantum science in Hefei, or witnessing the blend of old and new in Huizhou villages, Anhui offers a multidimensional experience of nature, heritage, and modern innovation.