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[jude]

We have just arrived in Hefei with two young kids (2 years and 10 months) I would be interested in talking to anyone else with young kids.   Are there any nice parks to take kids? Also any Kindergarten recommendations? I have yet had time to explore the city but any advice would be much appreciated. 

[junjuncayacap]

Hey Jude, welcome to Hefei!!!

Where are you from?

I don't have kids so I can't answer the other half of your questions. For the parks, you can visit Botanical Garden (Zhi Wu Yuan, I think in Chinese) where you can do some barbecues. I think it should be around 15 minutes by taxi from city center or you can take the 108 bus at Huangshan Lu, end station is the park.

There are parks within the downtown area but I do not know the names.

Also, you can try Swan Lake (where the Hefei Grand Theatre is located), it is good for starters.

I hope this helps!

juncay

[Aussie Mike]

I used to work at the Montessorie Kindergarten in Da XiMen at San Xiao Kou in TianWang Xiang.
That's the street opposite the CBD and its down past the 24 hour store on the left.

I'd be happy to have my children attend there.

As for outings...
The zoo at DaShu Shan, the only mountain, actually a big bump with pins stuck in it, is worth a visit. 801 bus goes to the entrance.

Anywhere around the South Western parts of the moat from the Library on QingXi Lu to Ma'An Shan Lu, BaoHe park around the BaoGong temple on WuHu Lu. In the City there is XiaoYaoJing park on ShouChun Lu  near BuXing Jie (Walking Street) which has the paintball course but your kids may be a bit young for that and XinHua park on MengCheng Lu at the intersection of ShouChun Lu, also has an amusement park. Out near the University City, there's the Oceanarium which is very expensive but worth finding out about as is the fun park next door which is a lot cheaper but still charge gate and extra for many activities. The International Park at MingZhu is really quite interesting. Swan Lake is a great walk around and it has a beach.

This is the Exit of XinHua Gong Yuan on a busy early spring day

This is the landmark for XinHua park

[junjuncayacap]

Hi Mike,
Please allow me to add some additional information on your post.

I totally forgot the International Park (Mingzhu Guang Chang),   my place is just across the street.  You can take 901 and 2 bus (long blue bus) from downtown, this will travel along Jinzai Lu expressway.

For Hefei Land Amusement Park (this is the park beside the Aquarium), here is the website.

http://www.ahhld.cn/index.asp

Entrance fee is 30RMB per person,  you can take the 226 bus or still the 901 and 2 but you will have to walk around 200 meters along Fanhua Dadao to reach there.

For the Hefei Aquarium, I heard that entrance fee is 80RMB (or 180RMB ?  ) per person, am not sure though. Either price for me is expensive.

By the way, this is off topic. For badminton enthusiasts, there is a new place (or not  ) beside Hefei Land Amusement Park. One of the exhibition center/building (I think building A) was converted to a 20-court badminton place. Prices vary from 10RMB to 30RMB per hour, depends on the time of the day. Cheapest is 6:30-8:30am everyday at 10RMB. Most expensive is from 5:00pm-10:00pm everyday at 30RMB.


juncay

[Success]

This is getting good for most of us with no idea of where to relax or have fun whenever we are free..

I would also like to know if anyone know of any good place to find a very good gym with moderate price..I know of kingsport but

the entrance fee is  too high for me as a person..

  Thanks folks

[junjuncayacap]

We have Muscle Works in 3rd Floor of Lutos Center here, this is still situated near the Mingzhu Guang Chang. 2 weeks ago I was told that the price was RMB2200 per year membership. Includes use on all the cardio machines, weights/fitness equipments , special lessons like yoga, belly dancing and all. However, the price is still expensive for me. My wife asked me if she could join specifically the belly dancing but my answer was a very BIG NO.  

A friend of mine informed me last week that there is a new gym opened beside the International Community (these are the pink residential buildings opposite Mingzhu Square) just recently. Price is RMB880 for 13 months, only cardio machines and weights/fitness equipments, no special lessons. I haven't checked the place yet, since my wife's answer (after I asked her) was also a very BIG NO.  

I have the map of the place but I don't know how to post it here. You can start walking from the main exhibition center building to the international community though.

juncay

[junjuncayacap]

Hey Mike,

Maybe you can teach me how post photos here, I can click my camera on the places that I mentioned above and post it here so it will be easier for everybody to find.

Thanks!

juncay

[junjuncayacap]

Oh by the way, I just remembered that there is a LOW COST gym within the school vicinity of Anhui Da Xue ( this is the school at the back of the Carrefour Changjiang Xi Lu and in front of the tall Hefei Gas building at Hezouhua Nan Lu). With standard treadmills and wieghtlifting equipments, no aircondition though but I am sure that the price is not worth a fortune. I think they can accept "pay per visit", I have no idea for the price.

You can play table tennis in this same place too....If  you like lawn tennis, just across the track and feild oval, you can see the tennis courts.


juncay

[Aussie Mike]

Already featured here
Inserting pictures into photos

[junjuncayacap]

Thanks Mike, I will make a new thread (with photos & other useful info) for all the parks, gardens, lakes, etc. that I have visited here in Hefei and in areas near Hefei. At least new expats can see if it's worth their time to visit or not.

Please check "entertainment" portion, I started with the Zipeng Mountain already.


juncay

[Aussie Mike]

Your time and efforts are appreciated.

I'll continue to add as people ask.

[chowder]

Hi Mike, have you heard about the American School here in Hefei? A chinese lady told me about it but sad to say she doesn't know where is it located...If you have any idea please let me know. Thanks!