Anhui Province in China

If you travel to east China, you will find a province known as Anhui. Located across the Yangtze and Huaihe river basins, the province is large, fertile and has plenty to offer both travelers and business people. The capital of the province is Hefei - a bustling metropolis with a massive growth rate. Other major cities in the region include Tongling, Huangshan City, Anqing, Maanshan, Bengbu, Bozhou and Huainan.

Apparently the provincial area known today as Anhui was first formed during the seventeenth century. Prior to this, the area was defined very differently from what it is today. It was only during the Manchu Qing Dynasty that the province started to take on the form that it bears today. In 1666, Juangsu and Anhui were split apart into separate provinces and this was the start of modern Anhui. Today the borders are very much the same as they were after that historical split.

When it comes to tourism, Anhui in China is a very interesting province. It is home to the ancient villages of Xidi and Hongcun – both of which are World Heritage Sites – and Mount Huangshan, which is also a World Heritage Site. The Old Town of Tunxi, Mount Jiuhua, Mount Tianzhu and Mount Qiyun are also legendary attractions. However, many find that it is Anhui’s culture which is the greatest attraction. For a start, the province has strong links to the ancient Chinese art of calligraphy, having long been known for producing the best paper and ink for this delicate art form. It is also home to Huangmeixi, a form of traditional Chinese opera, and for its wonderfully varied cuisine. If you travel to Anhui you should try to experience as much of its culture as possible.

If you travel to Anhui for business purposes, you would do well to know a bit about the local economy. The agricultural yield is fairly high, with wheat, sweet potato and rice grown in several different regions depending on the climate. Natural resources include coal, iron and copper and there are plenty of industries in the province relating not only to the refining of these resources, but also to the use of them – such as the automobile company Chery. While the province does not experience as large a growth rate as some other provinces in the country, it is enjoying a good rate of business. In 2004 its nominal GDP was 60.1 billion USD. When compared to figures for other provinces of China, this indicates that Anhui Province has a mid-sized economy. It also means that anyone wishing to engage in trade in Anhui may well find that the province provides just the sort of investment opportunities they were looking for. So visit Anhui in China and learn more about this great province for yourself.

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