Qufu to Anji Road Trip: Best Stops & Driving Guide

The 700-kilometer route from Qufu, the ancient birthplace of Confucius, to Anji, famed for its bamboo forests, offers a journey through dramatically shifting landscapes, from the flat wheat fields of Shandong to the rolling tea-covered hills of Zhejiang. Before you set out, know this: the drive typically takes about 8 hours without stops, but the best experience unfolds over two days, allowing for cultural and natural pauses along the way. This guide covers all the practical essentials—from fuel costs and rest stops to family-friendly and pet-approved breaks.

Your primary route will follow the G3 Beijing–Taipei Expressway down to Xuzhou, then switch to the G25 Changchun–Shenzhen Expressway, passing through the scenic Huai River basin and into the Yangtze River Delta. The final approach to Anji uses the S14 Hangzhou–Anji Expressway, which winds through bamboo-covered hills. Expect frequent toll booths along this well-maintained highway network; tolls for a standard sedan total around 300 RMB one-way.

• Fuel stops appear every 30–50 km on the G3 and G25, with 24-hour Sinopec and PetroChina stations offering restrooms and convenience stores.
• On the S14, service areas are sparser (every 40–60 km), so fill up before leaving the G25.
• As of 2025, gasoline (92-octane) costs approximately 7.5 RMB per liter; a typical car averaging 8L/100km will spend around 420 RMB on fuel for the trip.
• Most service areas have EV charging stations (both fast and slow), but availability on the S14 is limited—plan well if driving an electric vehicle.

Road quality is uniformly excellent: the G3 and G25 are multi-lane expressways with smooth asphalt and clear signage. The S14 is slightly narrower but equally well-maintained. During the spring and autumn, fog can reduce visibility, especially in the early morning near the Huai River, so keep headlights on and reduce speed if necessary. Traffic congestion is rare outside national holidays, which are best avoided entirely for this journey.

For families, the route offers several child-friendly diversions: the Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo (just off the G25) has a large drive-through safari area, while the Hefei Wild Animal Park (near the G3) is another option. Both have picnic areas and Shuttle carts for tired toddlers. Anji itself boasts the Hello Kitty Theme Park, a dream for young children, which is a perfect final reward. Restrooms along the highway are generally clean; service areas often include play areas and fast-food outlets like McDonald's and KFC, but consider trying local noodle shops for a healthier meal.

Traveling with a pet? Japanese and Korean tourists often note that Chinese expressways are not pet-friendly in the strict sense. Pets are not allowed in service area restaurants, but you can walk them on leashes in the designated green areas. Always carry a water bowl and avoid leaving your pet in the car in summer, as temperatures soar. For longer stops, many hotels along the route—especially those in county towns—allow pets with notice.

Fatigue management is crucial for this long drive. Plan to stop every 2 hours for a 15-minute break. The 330th kilometer service area on the G3 (near Huaiyuan) is particularly spacious and has a small walking trail. Avoid driving between 2-4 PM, when drowsiness peaks; instead, have a coffee at a service area or take a short nap in a rest stop car park. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as some remote stretches of the S14 have 30-km gaps between services. Remember to check real-time traffic via a navigation app like Gaode (Amap) to bypass any accidents.

The terrain shifts dramatically: you'll leave the flat agricultural plains of Shandong, cross the Huai River, then rise into the low mountains of Anhui before descending into the tea terraces of Zhejiang. Notable natural attractions just off the route include the Jiuhua Mountain (approx. 30 km detour from the G3 near Chizhou), a sacred Buddhist site with dramatic peaks, and the Tianmu Lake in Jiangsu, a spot for lakeside walks and local fish restaurants. For a truly iconic stop, the Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing offers a quick photo opportunity.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way include the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu, your starting point. If you have time in the city, visit the Temple at dawn to avoid crowds. Another World Heritage Site is the Ancient City of Pingyao, but that's far off-route; instead, consider the Xidi and Hongcun villages in southern Anhui, a 1-hour detour from the G3, renowned for their Ming and Qing dynasty architecture.

Local commerce thrives at every service area, but for a more authentic experience, exit the highway at Bengbu (on the G3) and sample the city's famous spicy crayfish at local night markets. Near the final leg, the town of Xiaofeng in Anji specializes in bamboo-based crafts and fresh bamboo shoot snacks—a perfect souvenir. The route also passes through major tea-producing regions, particularly around Changxing County, where you can purchase fresh white tea directly from local farms.