Get to know Anqing
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- Administrative area
- Prefecture-level city · 地级市
- Part of
- Anhui
- Chinese name
- 安庆市
- Local areas
- 10 local areas
Area & population
- Area in the source
- 13,486.60 km²
- Population · 2020 census
- 4,165,284
- Administrative seat
- Yixiu District
Source: cited geographic source, as of the dates shown.
Setting and landscape
Mountains, hills, and rivers and lakes each cover about a third of the land. The Dabie range winds across the northwest, the Yangtze curves round the southeast, and hills and ridges fill the ground between. The mountains lie mainly in Yuexi (岳西), Qianshan (潜山), Taihu (太湖) and Susong (宿松), rising to Tianhejian (天河尖), 1,755 metres, on Yuexi's northern border with Huoshan County (霍山县). Lakes line the Yangtze in Susong, Wangjiang (望江) and the urban area, and the riverside wetlands shelter protected waterbirds such as the Siberian crane (白鹤) and hooded crane (白头鹤).
History
In the Eastern Zhou this was the state of Wan (皖国), which gave Anhui its short name. The name Anqing dates from 1147, when the Southern Song renamed Shuzhou's Deqing Army (德庆军) the Anqing Army, and the city was first built in 1217. Its other name, Yicheng (宜城), recalls the Eastern Jin poet Guo Pu (郭璞), who called it fit for a city. Anqing was the provincial capital from 1760 to 1949. The city government credits the Anqing Arsenal (安庆内军械所), founded by Zeng Guofan (曾国藩) in 1861, with China's first steam engine and first powered boat, and calls Anqing the home of the Tongcheng literary school (桐城派) and the cradle of the Hui troupes (徽班), represented by Cheng Changgeng (程长庚), founder of Peking opera.
Huangmei opera (黄梅戏) grew from the region's folk music and is sung in the Anqing dialect. It took its present name in 1953 and entered the first national list of intangible cultural heritage in 2006.
What to see
Tianzhu Mountain (天柱山), the 1,488-metre 'ancient Southern Peak' (古南岳), is a national 5A scenic area. Xiaogu Shan (小孤山) stands alone in the Yangtze and is called 'Little Penglai on the river'. The city government also names Baiyazhai (白崖寨), the 'Little Great Wall of the South', and the Huatinghu (花亭湖) and Dalongshan (大龙山) scenic areas, while Mingtang Mountain (明堂山) rises to 1,563 metres among jagged boulders. In the city, the Zhenfeng Pagoda (振风塔) of Yingjiang Temple (迎江寺) casts its shadow across the river and is praised in the saying that once past Anqing, no one talks of pagodas.
Food and local products
Among local foods the city government lists Tongcheng Feng cake (桐城丰糕), Huaining tribute cake (怀宁贡糕), Jiangmao dumplings (江毛水饺), chicken broth with toasted rice (鸡汤炒米), Mozi crisp (墨子酥) and hairy crab (大闸蟹). Crafts and products include Wangjiang cross-stitch (望江挑花), Qianshan Shu mats (潜山舒席), Susong batik (宿松蜡染) and Yuexi Cuilan tea (岳西翠兰).
Sources for this guide
安庆概况_安庆市人民政府 · Anqing Municipal People's Government
自然环境_安庆市人民政府 · Anqing Municipal People's Government
黄梅戏简介_安庆市人民政府 · Anqing Municipal People's Government (text from the Anqing Culture and Tourism Bureau)
Original English written from the listed sources and checked sentence by sentence against quoted extracts by a separate reviewer. Updated 2026-09-30.
Explore Anqing
Core places to explore, with English and Chinese names.
Tianzhu Mountain 天柱山
Yingjiang Temple 迎江寺
Tongcheng Confucian Temple 桐城文庙
Huating Lake 花亭湖
Xiaogu Mountain 小孤山
Tianxia Gorge 天峡
Mingtang Mountain 明堂山
Six-Foot Lane 六尺巷
Shangu Liuquan Cliff Inscriptions 山谷流泉摩崖石刻
Yingjiang Temple and Zhenfeng Pagoda 迎江寺与振风塔
Yingjiang District 迎江区
Daguan District 大观区
Yixiu District 宜秀区
Huaining County 怀宁县
Taihu County 太湖县
Susong County 宿松县
Wangjiang County 望江县
Yuexi County 岳西县
Tongcheng 桐城市
Qianshan 潜山市
Places to explore around Anqing
Pale granite peaks and wooded slopes of Tianzhu Mountain, Anhui. Photographed on 2 January 2010.Tianzhu Mountain天柱山
Tianzhu’s main peak rises like a stone pillar above granite ridges, boulder passages and forest. Mystery Valley gives the rocks an enclosed scale, with gaps and cave-like passages beneath fallen blocks. Higher paths open towards…
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Zhenfeng Pagoda at Yingjiang Temple, Anqing · 迎江寺振风塔 Photograph date recorded by the source: 26 September 2008.Yingjiang Temple迎江寺
Yingjiang Temple’s halls and Zhenfeng Pagoda mark Anqing’s Yangtze waterfront. The seven-storey, octagonal pagoda is the clearest external landmark, with projecting eaves breaking up its brick-and-wood form. Inside the temple…
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The main hall of the Tongcheng Confucian Temple, Anqing · 桐城文庙大成殿正立面，安庆市 Source-recorded photograph date: Taken on 3 April 2011.Tongcheng Confucian Temple桐城文庙
Tongcheng’s Confucian temple preserves the orderly sequence of an institution combining ritual and education. A pool and ceremonial bridge lead towards Dacheng Hall, with side ranges enclosing the courtyards. Minglun Hall…
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The waters of Huating Lake reservoir with a rocky, bird-covered shoreline, Taihu County · 太湖县花亭湖水库风光，岸边礁石栖息水鸟 Source-recorded photograph date: Taken on 18 October 2005.Huating Lake花亭湖
Reservoir lake north of Taihu County town, fed from the Dabie Mountains, with Xifeng Cave, a Tang-founded Chan temple and the Zhao Puchu Cultural Park.
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Xiaogu Mountain (小孤山), Susong County. Photograph: "安徽省宿松县小孤山眺看长江南岸 - panoramio".Xiaogu Mountain小孤山
Xiaogushan is an isolated rocky height in the Yangtze at Susong, where a steep temple landscape rises directly above the river.
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AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非该地点实拍）Tianxia Gorge天峡
Tianxia is a forested gorge in Hetu Town, Yuexi County, with a chain of waterfalls below slopes of wild rhododendrons.
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Mingtang Mountain · 明堂山Mingtang Mountain明堂山
Mingtangshan is a mountain landscape in Yuexi County’s Hetu Town, with three prominent peaks, old trees and stream valleys in the Dabie Mountains.
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The Six-Foot Lane (Liuchixiang) memorial archway inscribed '礼让', Tongcheng · 桐城六尺巷"礼让"牌坊 Source-recorded photograph date: 30 July 2005 (original upload date).Six-Foot Lane六尺巷
Two-metre-wide lane in Tongcheng, Anhui, created when the Zhang and Wu families each gave up three feet of land in the Qing dynasty.
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Shangu Liuquan Cliff Inscriptions (山谷流泉摩崖石刻), Qianshan. Photograph: "三祖寺上院山门 - Gate of Upper House of Sanzu(The Third Patriarch) Buddhist Temple - 2010.07 - panoramio".Shangu Liuquan Cliff Inscriptions山谷流泉摩崖石刻
Shangu Liuquan in Qianshan preserves cliff inscriptions spanning the Tang dynasty to modern times, with Song-period writing forming a substantial part of the collection.
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Yingjiang Temple and Zhenfeng Pagoda (迎江寺与振风塔), Yingjiang District. Photograph: "Zhenfeng Pagoda 5".Yingjiang Temple and Zhenfeng Pagoda迎江寺与振风塔
Yingjiang Temple stands beside the Yangtze in Anqing, with the Ming-period Zhenfeng Pagoda rising within its grounds.
Read the place guide →Local life & food
Anqing local specialties
安庆市特色美食 · 9 specialties to discover
Anqing chicken broth with toasted rice 安庆鸡汤泡炒米AI dish illustration / AI 菜品示意图
The early spoonfuls combine crisp grain with savoury broth; later ones are softer and fuller. It is a gentle, warming dish whose appeal comes from grain aroma and broth rather than heavy chilli or a thick sauce.
Source ↗Read the dish guide →
Jiangmao Dumplings 江毛水饺AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Jiangmao Dumplings (江毛水饺) are a traditional food of Anqing (安庆), Anhui, described by the Anqing city government as a 'century-old brand' (百年老字号).
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Pork Belly Braised with Sweet Potato Starch Balls 山粉圆子烧肉
Pork Belly Braised with Sweet Potato Starch Balls (山粉圆子烧肉) is a home-style dish of Anqing (安庆), Anhui, in which pieces made from sweet-potato starch are braised with pork belly until they soak up the fat; it is said to have originated in Susong County (宿松县).
Read the dish guide →Photo adjustments
EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Huaining Tribute Rice Cake 怀宁贡糕AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Huaining Tribute Rice Cake (怀宁贡糕) is a sliced glutinous-rice cake from Huaining County (怀宁县) in Anqing (安庆), Anhui, best known as Dingxue gonggao (顶雪贡糕), the 'summit-snow tribute cake'.
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Tongcheng Steamed Rice Cake 桐城丰糕AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Tongcheng Steamed Rice Cake (桐城丰糕) is a fermented, steamed rice cake made in Tongcheng (桐城), Anqing, Anhui, for the Spring Festival.
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Huyumei Broad Bean Paste with Side Dishes 胡玉美蚕豆酱配菜AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Huyumei Broad Bean Paste with Side Dishes (胡玉美蚕豆酱配菜) takes its name from the broad bean chilli paste of the Huyumei (胡玉美) brewery in Anqing (安庆), Anhui, a noted Anqing product with more than 190 years of history.
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Qianshan Doumu Pottery Red-Braised Pork 潜山痘姆古陶红烧肉
Qianshan Doumu Pottery Red-Braised Pork (潜山痘姆古陶红烧肉) is red-braised pork belly cooked in Doumu (痘姆) earthenware, a dish of Qianshan (潜山) in Anqing (安庆), southwestern Anhui, the home of Mount Tianzhu (天柱山).
Read the dish guide →Photo adjustments
EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Taihu Steamed Pork with Rice Meal 太湖粉蒸肉AI illustration · AI 示意图（仅供参考，非实拍）
Taihu Steamed Pork with Rice Meal (太湖粉蒸肉) is listed among the local specialties of Anqing, Anhui. 粉蒸 describes steaming with rice meal.
Read the dish guide →All dish names · 全部菜名 (9)
- Anqing chicken broth with toasted rice · 安庆鸡汤泡炒米
- Jiangmao Dumplings · 江毛水饺
- Pork Belly Braised with Sweet Potato Starch Balls · 山粉圆子烧肉
- Huaining Tribute Rice Cake · 怀宁贡糕
- Tongcheng Steamed Rice Cake · 桐城丰糕
- Huyumei Broad Bean Paste with Side Dishes · 胡玉美蚕豆酱配菜
- Qianshan Doumu Pottery Red-Braised Pork · 潜山痘姆古陶红烧肉
- Taihu Steamed Pork with Rice Meal · 太湖粉蒸肉
- Yuexi Cured Meats · 岳西腊味
More dishes from across Anhui are in the Anhui food guide.
Counties & districts in Anqing
10 areas belong directly to Anqing.
10 areas
Yingjiang District 迎江区
Yingjiang District (simplified Chinese: 迎江区; traditional Chinese: 迎江區; pinyin: Yíngjiāng Qū) is an urban district of and the easternmost county-level division of the city of Anqing, Anhui Province, China.
Explore the area →DistrictDaguan District 大观区
Daguan District (simplified Chinese: 大观区; traditional Chinese: 大觀區; pinyin: Dàguān Qū) is an urban district of the city of Anqing, Anhui Province, China.
Explore the area →DistrictYixiu District 宜秀区
Yixiu District (simplified Chinese: 宜秀区; traditional Chinese: 宜秀區; pinyin: Yíxiù Qū) is a district of the city of Anqing, Anhui Province, China.
Explore the area →CountyHuaining County 怀宁县
Huaining County (simplified Chinese: 怀宁县; traditional Chinese: 懷寧縣; pinyin: Huáiníng Xiàn) is a county in the southwest Anhui Province, China, under the jurisdiction of the prefecture-level city of Anqing.
Explore the area →Show fewer areas
Taihu County 太湖县
Taihu County is a county in the southwest of Anhui Province, China, bordering Hubei Province to the west. It is under the jurisdiction of the prefecture-level city of Anqing and contains its westernmost point.
Explore the area →CountySusong County 宿松县
Susong County (simplified Chinese: 宿松县; traditional Chinese: 宿松縣) is a county in the southwest of Anhui Province, situated on the northwest (left) bank of the Yangtze, bordering the provinces of Hubei to the…
Explore the area →CountyWangjiang County 望江县
Wangjiang County (simplified Chinese: 望江县; traditional Chinese: 望江縣; pinyin: Wàng Jiāng Xiàn) is a county in the southwest of Anhui Province, situated on the northwest (left) bank of the Yangtze.
Explore the area →CountyYuexi County 岳西县
Yuexi County (simplified Chinese: 岳西县; traditional Chinese: 岳西縣; pinyin: Yuèxī Xiàn), is a county in the southwest of Anhui Province, China, bordering Hubei Province to the west.
Explore the area →County-level cityTongcheng 桐城市
Tongcheng is a county-level city and former county in the southwest of Anhui province and is under the jurisdiction of the prefecture-level city of Anqing.
Explore the area →County-level cityQianshan 潜山市
Qianshan (simplified Chinese: 潜山市; traditional Chinese: 潛山市; pinyin: qián shān shì) is a county-level city in the southwest of Anhui Province, China; it is under the jurisdiction of the prefecture-level city…
Explore the area →No areas match this name.
Plan your visit
Getting there
Search for 安庆市 in a map app to find stations and your accommodation.
Where to stay →Build your route
Tianzhu Mountain and Yingjiang Temple are about 60 km apart in a straight line. The linked place guides have entrance and visit details.
Continue with Anhui →More in Anhui
Sources & geographic information
Administrative names and parent areas: Official geographic directory · Reference date 2026-09-06.
Photo: Tianzhu Mountain · JtWang · CC BY-SA 3.0. Proportionally resized and converted to WebP without cropping, retouching or changing the photographed subject.
Photo: Yingjiang Temple · Zeus1234 · CC BY-SA 3.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Tongcheng Confucian Temple · JtWang · CC BY-SA 3.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
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Photo: Huating Lake · luchangjiang~鲁昌江 · CC BY-SA 3.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
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Photo: Xiaogu Mountain · luchangjiang~鲁昌江 · CC BY-SA 3.0. Full frame retained; EXIF orientation normalized, proportionally resized to at most 800 pixels and converted to WebP. No generated pixels or subject changes. Cards may crop the display.
Photo: Mingtang Mountain · Source photographer · License not provided. EXIF orientation normalized; resized without changing aspect ratio; converted to WebP. No subject edits.
Photo: Six-Foot Lane · The original uploader was Yellowye at Chinese Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0. Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Photo: Shangu Liuquan Cliff Inscriptions · rheins · CC BY 3.0. Full frame retained; EXIF orientation normalized, proportionally resized to at most 800 pixels and converted to WebP. No generated pixels or subject changes. Cards may crop the display.
Photo: Yingjiang Temple and Zhenfeng Pagoda · Zeus1234 · CC BY-SA 3.0. Full frame retained; EXIF orientation normalized, proportionally resized to at most 800 pixels and converted to WebP. No generated pixels or subject changes. Cards may crop the display.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins mark approximate centres, not entrances or boundaries.