From Mumbai, this is a long-haul travel day: the most practical route into Anhui is usually a flight connection via Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, or Shenzhen into Hefei Xinqiao International Airport or sometimes Xuancheng-connected routing if you’ve built the trip that way. Plan on about 9–13 hours total once you include the connection, immigration, baggage claim, and the ride into the city. If you’re landing today, keep the first half of the day deliberately light, carry the essentials in your hand luggage, and use the arrival window to sort SIM, cash, and transport first. A taxi or ride-hailing car from Hefei Xinqiao International Airport into the central districts typically takes 45–70 minutes depending on traffic, and will usually be the easiest option after a tiring flight; if you’re arriving later, just head straight to your hotel, drop bags, and don’t try to overdo it.
Once you’re settled, head to Hefei Lord Bao Park in Baohe District for an easy first walk. It’s one of those places locals use to decompress: shaded paths, water views, and a calm, old-China atmosphere that feels forgiving after a transit-heavy day. Give yourself about an hour here—enough to wander without turning it into a mission. Entry is typically free or very low cost, and late afternoon is the best time because the heat starts to ease and the light is nicer for photos. If you’re up for a snack, there are usually small vendors nearby, but I’d keep it simple and save your appetite for dinner.
From Lord Bao Park, take a taxi or Didi west toward Swan Lake in the Government District; the ride is usually around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. This is a good reset spot after flying: broad open water, cleaner urban landscaping, and a more modern local feel as the city transitions into evening. Aim for sunset into early night, about 1–1.5 hours total, when the promenade is active but still relaxed. There’s no need to rush around here—just walk the lakeside paths, people-watch, and let the trip slow down a bit. If you’re tired, it’s perfectly fine to cut the walk short and head straight to dinner.
Finish at a well-reviewed local restaurant in the Swan Lake / Government District area for your first proper Anhui cuisine meal. Ask for Lu’an-style stew, braised river fish, and, if you’re feeling adventurous, stinky mandarin fish—it’s a classic regional dish and usually a love-it-or-leave-it moment. Expect roughly ¥90–250 per person at a solid mid-range place, with a fuller table running around ₹1,000–2,500 per person depending on how much you order. A couple of reliable local-style options around this part of Hefei are easier to find than famous one-off names, so choose a busy restaurant with a steady stream of families and office workers; that’s usually the best sign. Keep tonight gentle, because the next few days are better when you’re rested and not fighting jet lag.
Start early at Hefei South Railway Station and board the morning high-speed train to Hangzhou East Railway Station around 8:00–10:00 so you’re rolling into the city by early afternoon; with security, ticket checks, and platform changes, I’d aim to be at the station 30–45 minutes before departure. Trains are usually smooth, clean, and on time, and once you arrive in Hangzhou East it’s easy to grab a taxi or metro toward Xihu District—just keep your bags light, because you’ll want to check in or drop luggage before heading out.
Ease into West Lake first, not as a “must-see checklist” but as the right way to arrive in Hangzhou: slow, scenic, and a little dreamy. From the lake’s promenades you can take in the classic views around Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, and the boat-dotted water, with plenty of room to wander for about 2 hours. In July, go with sun protection, water, and comfortable shoes; the lakeside is free, while boat rides and some small attractions cost extra. A short taxi or ride-hail to the South Lake area brings you to Leifeng Pagoda, where the views over West Lake are the real reason to come—expect around ¥40–¥55 for entry, and it’s especially good around late afternoon when the light softens and the crowds thin a bit.
After that, head northwest to Lingyin Temple, one of the most atmospheric places in the city and well worth the taxi time from the lake area. The temple grounds are usually open from early morning until late afternoon/early evening, and the surrounding forested setting makes the whole visit feel quieter than the city below; budget roughly ¥75–¥80 total depending on whether you also enter the Feilai Feng grotto area. For dinner, stay near West Lake or in Xihu District and settle into a proper Hangzhou meal at a well-reviewed spot such as Zhi Wei Guan or Lou Wai Lou, where you can order Dongpo pork and West Lake fish—expect about ¥1,200–¥3,000 per person if you’re doing it comfortably with tea and a few dishes. End with an easy Wushan Square stroll in Shangcheng District, where the mood shifts to shopping streets, snacks, and local evening energy; it’s a simple 45-minute wander, and if you’re heading back to the hotel afterward, this part of town is convenient for taxis and late-night rides.
If you leave Hangzhou early enough on the high-speed train, you’ll usually reach Yangzhou East Railway Station by late morning, which is the sweet spot for starting at Slender West Lake before the day gets hot and crowded. From the station, a taxi or ride-hailing car into the lake area is the easiest move; it’s about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. Once inside, keep the pace gentle — this is one of those places where the pleasure is in strolling, pausing by the water, and letting the scenery unfold. Entrance is usually around ¥100–150 depending on the season and ticket combo, and most of the core scenic area is best enjoyed in about 2 hours.
From Slender West Lake, a short ride brings you to Daming Temple, which adds a quieter, more contemplative rhythm after the open water and willow-lined paths. Plan roughly an hour here, a little longer if you want to climb up for views or linger in the courtyards; typical admission is modest, usually around ¥20–40. Then continue on to Ge Garden (Geyuan) in the Guangling District, one of the loveliest classic gardens in town. The rockeries are the real star here — clever, layered, and very “Jiangnan” in feel — and it’s at its best before lunch when the light catches the stones and bamboo. Give it 1 to 1.5 hours, and budget roughly ¥30–45 for entry.
For lunch, settle into Yechun Teahouse near Dongguan Street and order a spread of Yangzhou classics — shrimp roe wontons, steamed buns, soup dumplings, and tea — with a per-person spend of about ¥500–1,500 depending on how far you go. It’s one of the most practical places to eat if you want a proper sit-down break without drifting far from the old town. After that, spend the afternoon wandering Dongguan Street itself: this is where Yangzhou feels most lived-in, with snack shops, traditional storefronts, tea houses, and souvenir stalls mixed into the historic lane atmosphere. It’s easy to lose 1.5 hours here just snacking, browsing, and taking your time, so don’t over-plan — the street is better when you leave space for random detours and one last cup of tea.
By late afternoon, head back toward your departure point and keep a buffer of at least 1.5–2 hours before your train or airport check-in, especially if you’re leaving by high-speed rail through Yangzhou East Railway Station or connecting onward via Yangzhou Taizhou Airport or a Nanjing/Hangzhou rail-air link. If you have time near the station, grab a quick early dinner or a final bowl of noodles — nothing complicated, just enough to tide you over for the trip back to Mumbai.