Sanhe Ancient Town

Sanhe Ancient Town is situated at the southern tip of Feixi County in Hefei, where the Fengle River, Hangbu River, and Xiaonan River converge. The town derives its name from these three waterways, with the name "Sanhe" appearing as early as the Ming Dynasty and officially becoming Sanhe Town during the Qing Dynasty. In 1858, Taiping Rebellion generals Chen Yucheng and Li Xiucheng achieved a decisive victory over the Xiang Army here, historically known as the "Great Victory of Sanhe." The triumphal arch at the town entrance, Yingwang Mansion, and ancient city walls still bear witness to this turbulent period. The old bluestone-paved streets stretch along the river, lined with contiguous Huizhou-style residences featuring gray brick walls and soaring horse-head gables, blending water-town alleys with Huizhou-style markets seamlessly. Most tours begin at Sanxian Bridge in the town center. To its northwest stands the seven-story Guocui Tower, offering panoramic views of the town and displaying Huizhou artifacts like sedan chairs, inscribed tablets, carved beds, and stone carvings. Nearby, the Dafu Mansion (Sanhe Folk Museum) recreates an official residence's hall with exquisite wood carvings, including an oversized abacus over one meter long. Northeast of the bridge, Xiangu Tower is a Huizhou-style temple funded by merchants including the owner of the time-honored pastry shop "Zhonghexiang." Heading north along the east bank of Xiaonan River leads to ancient West Street, paved with bluestones and once bustling with shops—Liutongxinglongzhuang still maintains its original commercial layout. South along the west bank brings you to Quezhu Covered Bridge, named after Sanhe's ancient moniker "Quezhu," featuring a two-tiered eaves corridor with "beauty's seat" railings perfect for resting and enjoying the waterfront. The southern area around Old South Street and Wannian Street clusters notable former residences, including those of physicist Chen-Ning Yang, general Sun Liren, and Helu. During the Anti-Japanese War, young Chen-Ning Yang sheltered here with his family. Nearby, the famous "One-Person Alley" narrows to barely accommodate a single visitor, making it a popular photo spot. Further south stand Wannian Temple, Chenghuang Temple, and the historic Wannian Stage—Sanhe being the birthplace of Lu Opera, whose authentic melodies often grace the stage during festivals. Local snacks concentrate near Sanxian Bridge: freshly fried Sanhe rice dumplings with crispy shells, shrimp paste, crispy duck, and various river delicacies represent regional cuisine, while tea-flavored dried tofu makes for perfect street-side nibbling. Rice wine and feather fans serve as portable souvenirs. In 2026, Sanhe became a key filming location for CCTV's Spring Festival Gala Hefei segment, with its night scenes of a thousand fish lanterns captivating nationwide audiences.