Hefei boosting image as high-tech powerhouse

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 airborne cabs.

A major highlight within 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 breakthroughs, 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 Ltd, a leading Chinese autonomous aerial vehicle company.

The local government has pledged support worth $100 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 an urban landscape interwoven with self-driving vehicles, eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing), and drone delivery services, Hefei is rapidly becoming a city where the once-imagined future is now reality.

After buying a bottle of water from an unmanned delivery service in Luogang Park, Nicolas Issac Jimenez Bravo, who now studies at Hefei University of Technology, said: "It's exciting to witness a city on the brink of something big."

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, Hefei Immigration Inspection Station and the airport have implemented a series of measures to enhance passenger convenience.

Wang Chen, a police officer at the station, said 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, she said.

With the new policy, Wang said that international arrivals at Hefei's airport primarily come from Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, as well as Germany, Australia and Malaysia.

"With the 240-hour visa-free transit policy now in place, we anticipate even more foreign visitors in the near future," she added.

Beyond the airport, Hefei has been making strides to enhance its appeal to international visitors.

Hotels, for instance, have been trained to facilitate seamless check-ins, bilingual signage in public spaces has 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 Jan 1. Now, foreign visitors can complete their lodging registration conveniently via their mobile phones.

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 multilingual services, 24-hour emergency care, direct billing for international insurance and personalized medical assistance.