At the top of foreigners' to-do list in Hefei, capital of Anhui province, is a visit to Luogang Central Park, which blends nature with cutting-edge technology. Built on the former site of an international airport, Luogang Park has been transformed into more than just a scenic escape. Visitors today can hop on autonomous-driven shuttle buses to reach different attractions, hail self-driving vending machines that stop at a mere wave of the hand, and soon, they might even be able to board air-borne cabs. A major highlight in the park is an aviation transport operation center. It is expected to be a pioneering hub for low-altitude urban air mobility, potentially making Hefei the first city in the Yangtze River Delta where people can book “air taxis”. The park also serves as a testing ground for technological break-throughs, contributing to Hefei’s vision of becoming a leader in the low-altitude economy, autonomous driving and smart urban planning.
Hefei’s commitment to futuristic transportation is evident in its recent agreement with Ehang Holdings, a leading Chinese autonomous aerial vehicle company. The local government has pledged support worth USD100 million, including the purchase of its pilotless aerial vehicles. This move aligns with Hefei’s action plan for the development of the low-altitude economy. The plan envisions commercial routes for aerial tourism and logistics. With self-driving vehicles, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) craft, and drone delivery services, Hefei is rapidly becoming a city where the once-imagined future is becoming reality.
For years, Hefei remained somewhat overshadowed by China’s more prominent metropolises, but that perception is changing rapidly. The city is gaining traction as a hub for innovation, business and international travel. With the extension of China’s visa-free transit policy to 240 hours, Hefei is set to attract an increasing number of foreign visitors. To support this policy, the Hefei Immigration Inspection Station and the airport have implemented a series of measures to enhance passenger convenience. A dedicated visa-free transit application area has been set up to help reduce waiting times. Bilingual promotional videos explaining the policy and procedures were also published online. To further streamline the process, arrival cards are distributed onboard flights before landing.
Beyond the airport, Hefei has been making efforts to enhance its appeal to international visitors. Hotels, for instance, have been trained to facilitate seamless check-ins, bilingual signs in public spaces have been expanded, and a special immigration service counter has been established for travelers needing extended stays due to unforeseen circumstances. In a significant digital upgrade, Hefei launched a new self-service accommodation registration system on January 1. Now, foreign visitors can register their lodging by mobile phone.
Hefei’s airport is also expanding its reach. In the 2024 winter travel season, the airport launched direct passenger routes to Hong Kong, Macao, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore and Bangkok, broadening access to the city for global travelers. Recognizing the needs of international travelers, the province has also focused on healthcare accessibility. The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University inaugurated an international medical department in 2023, offering multi-lingual services, 24-hour emergency care, direct billing for international insurance, and personalized medical assistance. The facility has already served over 4,000 foreign patients in 2024, marking a 176% increase from the previous year, the hospital said.
As Hefei opens its doors wider, other cities in Anhui are also poised to benefit. Huangshan, home to China’s iconic Huangshan mountain, reported a total of 92.2 million visitors in 2024, a 10.8% year-on-year increase. However, international tourist numbers remained below pre-Covid-19 levels, with only 180,000 inbound visitors in 2024 compared to 2.87 million in 2019. The introduction of the visa-free transit policy is expected to drive a strong rebound in inbound tourism. Such a transformation is part of Anhui’s broader push toward modernization and economic leadership. Traditionally overshadowed by China’s coastal powerhouses, Anhui has rapidly emerged as a front runner in industries such as new energy vehicles, integrated circuits and advanced display technologies. Today, the province produces one-fifth of China’s photovoltaic modules, one-seventh of its lithium-ion batteries and one-eighth of its NEVs. Lenovo, one of the world’s leading tech giants, has also cemented its presence in Hefei. “AI is not just enhancing efficiency – it’s redefining what’s possible in modern manufacturing,” said Yang Yuanqing, Chairman and CEO of Lenovo Group. The company's Hefei factory now processes over 5,000 orders daily, with AI-powered scheduling slashing processing times from six hours to just 90 seconds, leading to a 23% increase in production efficiency, the China Daily reports.
