Getting Around Tongling
Tongling is a river port city on the southern bank of the Yangtze in southern Anhui province, and getting around it is straightforward for a visitor. The city's bus network covers most areas of the city and is an economical and convenient option for daily travel. Taxis are readily available throughout the city, and ride-hailing platforms such as Didi and Meituan are widely used, offering convenient point-to-point trips. For short hops, shared bicycles and electric scooters can be found across the city and are an ideal eco-friendly way to cover short distances.
Rail Connections
Tongling is an important railway hub in Anhui province, and rail is the main way visitors arrive and move between the city and the wider region. Two stations serve the city:
- Tongling North Railway Station — a key stop on the Beijing–Fuzhou High-Speed Railway (the Hefei–Fuzhou High-Speed Rail), connecting cities such as Beijing, Hefei, and Fuzhou with fast, comfortable service.
- Tongling Railway Station — primarily handles conventional train services, providing an economical option for travel to cities such as Shanghai, Nanjing, and Wuhan.
Several rail lines serve the city, including the Nanjing–Tongling, Tongling–Jiujiang, and Lujiang–Tongling railways, the Nanjing–Anqing Intercity Railway, and the Hefei–Fuzhou High-Speed Railway. The Tongling Yangtze River Bridge is a double-deck cable-stayed and suspension bridge carrying expressway, intercity railway, and freight railway across the river.
Buses and Long-Distance Coaches
City buses are the workhorse of local transport, reaching most parts of Tongling. For travel beyond the city, Tongling Bus Station is the main long-distance passenger terminal, located in the city center of Tongguan District. It runs services connecting cities within and outside the province, such as Hefei, Wuhu, and Chizhou, and is well equipped for ticketing, waiting, and luggage. The station is easily reached by nearby bus routes and taxi connections.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are readily available throughout the city and are an efficient way to get around. Ride-hailing apps such as Didi and Meituan are also widely available, giving you a convenient point-to-point option, particularly useful when you don't speak Chinese or want a fixed price before setting off.
Walkability and Self-Driving
Tongling's road infrastructure is well maintained, making self-driving a flexible and convenient choice. Parking lots are available in urban areas and near major attractions. A car also opens up nearby scenic destinations such as Jiuhua Mountain and Tianzhu Mountain, which suits family or group travel. For everyday movement within the city, walking combined with buses, shared bikes, or e-scooters covers most needs.
Getting There from the Airport
Tongling does not have its own airport. The nearest options are Chizhou Jiuhuashan Airport and Hefei Xinqiao International Airport. Travelers can reach either airport by road or high-speed rail to connect with domestic and international flights. From Hefei Xinqiao, the high-speed rail link to Tongling North is the most convenient connection into the city; from Chizhou Jiuhuashan, road transfers are the practical route. Allow time for the transfer when planning onward flights.