Recommendation 2: Huating Lake scenic area in Taihu Lake, Anqing (National 4A scenic area)

Best time to go: Mid-Oct to the end of Nov.

Location: Huating Lake is located in Taihu county of Anqing city in Anhui province, 4km from downtown Taihu. Against the rosy clouds and gently lit by the sunset, the small islands gaze lazily at their own reflections in the clear, calm lake water.

Huating Lake is home to various species of fish. Therefore, its’ a heaven for fishing lovers. Holding a fishing pole under the shade, you can forget all your troubles and your routine life.

Huating Lake also boosts profound cultures of Buddhism and Taoism and 63 temples and Taoist meditation rooms, such as Haihui Temple, the West Wind Taoism Temple, and a temple in memory of Li Shizhen (1518-1953), one of the greatest physicians and pharmacologists in Chinese history and the author of the Bencao Gangmu.

Tourist tips: Off-season price is for November.

The temperature in autumn is 2 to 3 degrees lower than that in the business district. Prepare yourselves with warm clothes.

Three-star hotels in the scenic region are: Siqian Hotel (200 beds), Huating Lake Hotel (25 standard rooms), Taihu Hotel (20 standard rooms). A two-star hotel, Longshangong Inn, provides 120 rooms at various standard levels.

Specialties are Fenggang rice wine, Lidu dried bean curd and Taihu sweet potato noodles. Self-driving route: Hefei-Jiezidun expressway – Taihu (Huatinghu) exit – Huating Lake scenic area (198km)