The man, a native of Fengmiao Town, Suzhou City of Anhui, ignited the gasoline at around 3 p.m. near the premises of the Anhui provincial government, the emergency office of the Anhui provincial government said.
Patrolling police immediately put out the fire and sent him to a hospital, where he died.
The office said "relevant departments" were investigating the cause of the man's burning death.