The Hefei Botanical Garden in Shushan District is one of the larger public green spaces in central Hefei, particularly rewarding in spring when the cherry and plum blossoms are in flower and in late summer when the lotus ponds are at their peak. The garden covers over 70 hectares and contains more than 3,000 plant species arranged in themed sections: a bamboo grove, a peony garden, a section dedicated to medicinal plants, and wetland areas along the lake edges.
It's a genuinely pleasant place to spend a morning or afternoon, and unlike some of the busier city parks, the botanical section gives it a slightly more contemplative character. Weekend afternoons bring out families with children; early mornings are quieter and better for photography. Free to enter.