One day tour of Sanhe Ancient Town: Encountering the ancient charm of the water town

Sanhe Ancient Town, located in Hefei, is open to the public for free without charging admission fees. The local historical and cultural connotations are very profound, and there are also many worth visiting attractions. It is a national 5A level scenic spot. So, how should you enjoy a one-day trip to Sanhe Ancient Town

Travel Guide

There are three ancient streets in the ancient town: Ancient East Street, Ancient South Street, and Ancient West Street. Two ancient cities: South City and North City. A river: Xiaonan River

Gu Xi Street is currently the longest ancient street. The other two ancient streets are not as long as Gu Xi Street. But the best preserved ancient street is Gu Nan Street, and the stone slabs laid on the ground of Gu Nan Street have a long history

Ancient West Street Scenic Spots: Xiangui Bridge, Dong Yinchu's Life Story Exhibition Hall, Liutong Xinglong Village, Zongxian Root Carving Art Museum, Green Bamboo Pavilion

Ancient East Street Scenic Spots: Sun Zhongde Memorial Hall

Ancient South Street Scenic Spots: Helu, Yang Zhenning Guest House, Chenghuang Temple, Ancient Entertainment Square

Southern City Scenic Spots: Xinyue Pavilion, Wannian Temple, Sanhe Ancient Battle Field

Northern City Scenic Spots: Xianggu Tower, Wannian Platform

Xiaonan River Scenic Spots: Sanhe Ancient Bridge, Yee Xiating, Xiaonanhe, Sanhe Ancient Street, Wangyue Pavilion, Quezhu covered bridge, Wangyue Bridge, Guque Pavilion

The local specialties are rice dumplings, rice wine, feather fans and maltose. Rice dumplings are filled with river shrimp, wrapped in rice bags, and can be fried in a pot for practical use. The taste is still good. I haven't tried rice wine and feather fans

Sanhe Ancient Town is open from 8:00 to 18:00. The scenic area is open and does not charge large entrance tickets. Small attractions in the ancient town require the purchase of joint tickets, including Dong Yinchu Memorial Hall, Liu Tongxinglongzhuang, Yang Zhenning's former residence, Sanhe Battle Fengyun Hall, Sun Liren's former residence, Helu, Dafudi, Wangyue Pavilion, Laojiu Fang, and Guyu Fang

Recommended route:

Tourist Center → Xian Gui Bridge → Gu Xi Street → Dong Yinchu backdoor → Celebrity Square → Liu Tong Xinglong Village backdoor → Liu Tong Xinglong Village → Hezhong Lane → Twin Trees → Duiyue Bridge → Dafudi → Guocui Tower → Gu Nan Street → Yang Zhenning's former residence → Helu → Xiangu Tower → Wannian Terrace → Tourist Center

Tip 2: Several temples in Sanhe Ancient Town have the phenomenon of deceiving tourists into donating incense money after worshiping Buddha. One donation can be several hundred yuan. If you encounter someone who persuades you to donate money, just ignore them

First impression of Sanhe Ancient Town

Sanhe Ancient Town is located at the southern end of Feixi County, Hefei City, Anhui Province, at the junction of Feixi, Shucheng and Lujiang counties, and on the golden tourist trunk line from Jiuhua Mountain to Mount Huangshan Mountain. This ancient town with a history of over 2500 years is named after the three rivers of Fengle River, Hangbu River, and Xiaonan River flowing through it, and is a national 5A level tourist attraction

The architectural style of the ancient town is unique, featuring Huizhou style buildings with "blue bricks and white tiles dock walls". It combines the characteristics of northern and southern architecture, mostly consisting of a mixture of wooden and brick and stone structures. The ancient buildings of the Ming and Qing dynasties are well preserved, with white horsehead walls, roofs covered in small blue tiles, carved and painted beams, rafters, and columns, as well as various signs and plaques painted with black lacquer and gilded gold, all exuding a strong ancient charm

II. Convenient Transportation Guide

(1) Public Transportation

The public transportation in Sanhe Ancient Town is very convenient, providing tourists with multiple choices. The first stop of bus route 699 is located at Shangpai Hub Station, passing through stations such as Yili Machinery along the way. The fare is 1 yuan/person, and the service period is tentatively scheduled from 6:00 to 19:00. There are 25 buses in operation, with a frequency of about 6 to 15 minutes per trip. Finally, it arrives at Sanhe Ancient Town Bus Terminal. The Sanhe Tourism Line departs from the urban area of Hefei, making it convenient for Hefei citizens to visit Sanhe Ancient Town. Bus route 8 enters Sanhe Ancient Town Scenic Area from Shucheng County, while bus route L102 enters Sanhe Scenic Area from Lujiang. These bus routes provide convenient transportation options for tourists from different regions, allowing them to easily reach Sanhe Ancient Town

(II) Self driving routes

There are also various routes to choose from when driving to Sanhe Ancient Town. Vehicles coming from Feixi Shangpai direction will pass through Provincial Road 103 (Old Hetong Road) from the intersection of 103 and G330 (New and Old Hetong Road intersection) to Sanhe Ancient Town Scenic Area. Provincial Road 103 (Old Hetong Road) only allows entry and exit, while County Road 040 (Old Shangsan Road) only allows entry and exit, implementing a circular traffic system for vehicles. In case of heavy traffic flow, the intersection of 103 and G330 (new and old Hetong intersection) will be closed, and vehicles will be temporarily suspended from entering. County Road 040 (old Shangsan Road) is prohibited from entering. Vehicles will cross the Hangbu River Bridge along G330 (new Hetong Road), turn right after getting off the bridge, and enter Erlong Street in Tongda Town, passing through Sanhe South Bridge → Sanhe Ancient Town Scenic Area. From the direction of Hefei, you can take Huanchaohu Avenue → S232 (Liushu Third Line) → Sanhe Ancient Town Scenic Area; You can also take the Jingtai Expressway and get off at Hangbu Road, then follow S330 (Sanhang Road) to Sanhe Ancient Town Scenic Area. Vehicles from the Lujiang direction can enter the scenic area through the Sanhe South Bridge from Tongda Town. Vehicles from Shucheng County can enter the scenic area through Sanhang Road. It is recommended that passing vehicles take a detour on Xinhetong Road to avoid congestion when entering the scenic area

(III) Parking Guide

Sanhe Ancient Town provides multiple parking lots and temporary parking areas for tourists. The tourist center parking lot turns from Hetong Road to Sanhang Road for parking, with a total of about 370 parking spaces. The Fengleyuan parking lot also transfers from Hetong Road to Sanhang Road for parking, with approximately 500 parking spaces. The transfer center parking lot is accessed from Hetong Road, with approximately 400 parking spaces. The old bus station parking lot is accessed from Hetong Road, with approximately 90 parking spaces. The Dajiemen parking lot turns from Hetong Road to Yingwang Road, and then turns left from Yingwang Road to park. There are about 150 parking spaces in total. In addition, there are also many parking spaces on the road, with about 190 parking spaces on Wangci Road, about 135 parking spaces on Zhenning Road, about 45 parking spaces on Hengchang Road, and about 73 parking spaces on Yingwang Road. During holidays, temporary parking areas have also been set up, such as the temporary parking lot in front of the town government square, which can be accessed by turning from Hetong Road to Zhenning Road; The temporary parking lot on Fengle River embankment, where vehicles guided by the natural bridge and three small schools can park on Fengle River embankment, and vehicles guided by Wangci Road can park in a single row towards Taohua Island on Fengle River embankment; Parking at the exit of Nanqiao Bridge and single row parking along the roadside of Liushusan Road; Coal construction community parking lot. These parking areas can meet the parking needs of tourists, allowing them to have no worries while playing

III. Exciting Scenic Spots Tour

(1) Historical Relics

Sanhe Battle Fengyun Museum: Sanhe Battle Fengyun Museum is located in Sanhe Ancient Town, Feixi County, Hefei City. In November 1858, young generals Chen Yucheng and Li Xiucheng of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom led their troops to surround the Hunan Army attacking Sanhe, annihilating more than 6000 Hunan soldiers led by the fierce general Li Xubin, known as the "Great Victory of Sanhe" in history. The Three Rivers War Wind and Cloud Museum is the site where the Taiping Army was stationed at that time. The museum reproduces the history of the Three Rivers War through physical objects, historical materials, multimedia and other forms. Tourists can feel the magnificent history here, as if they are on a battlefield shrouded in smoke. Travel advice: You can combine historical books and explanations to gain a deeper understanding of the background and significance of the Three Rivers Victory, and better experience the war situation during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom period

Liu Tongxinglong Village: Liu Tongxinglong Village is located on Guxi Street in Sanhe Town, also known as "Liu Ji Bu Zhuang" or "Liu Ji Mi Pu". During the late Qing Dynasty, it was a famous merchant on Gu Xi Street. Liu Jintang, the owner of Zhuangzi, once served as the vice president of Sanhe Chamber of Commerce. Liutong Xinglongzhuang covers an area of 700 square meters, with 32 rooms in five entrances and eight compartments, and is built in the style of Huizhou architecture. Facing the street is a two-story wooden building, with the second entrance being the Zouma Zhuanxin Building, the third entrance being the open hall for receiving visitors, the fourth entrance being the incense house for ancestors, and the fifth entrance being the residential dormitory. Liu Tongxinglongzhuang mainly deals in various fabrics and rice. At that time, the business was booming from Yinshan in Lu'an in the north to Nanjing and Shanghai in the south. Travel advice: Appreciate the unique style of Huizhou architecture, understand the prosperous commercial scene of the late Qing Dynasty, and feel the commercial atmosphere at that time

Yang Zhenning's Former Residence: Yang Zhenning's former residence is located on Sanhe Ancient South Street in the ancient town of Shuixiang, Anhui Province. It is a folk courtyard built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 1937, the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan led to the relocation of Yang Zhenning * * Lunan Middle School to study at Sanhe Feinan Middle School in the ancient town, where he stayed with his mother. The old house is a typical Ming and Qing style house with brick and wood structure, pink walls and black tiles, carved beams and painted rafters, cornices and corners. In the old residence, passing through the entrance door from the front hall, one can easily pass through the middle hall and reach the back hall of the backyard. On the right side of the front hall, there is a huge photo of Dr. Yang Zhenning, and it is also equipped with TV sound equipment to play CCTV special films and * * * award documentaries. The central hall displays a complete set of pictures and physical materials, recording Mr. Yang Zhenning's lifelong struggle. Xingyuan and the back hall are the places where young Yang Zhenning studied and lived, and there are also landscapes such as Yiren Lane near his old residence. As a patriotic education base, Yang Zhenning's former residence has attracted many tourists to visit and learn. Travel advice: It is suitable to bring children here for patriotic education and enlightenment, to understand the struggle and childlike spirit of great scientists

(II) Scenery of Ancient Bridges

Sanhe Ancient Town has many rivers and bridges, and the ancient bridges with different styles are excellent places to enjoy the scenery of the ancient town. Sanxian Bridge is the best preserved ancient bridge in Sanhe, dating back over 1000 years to the Song Dynasty. There is a saying in folk culture that 'one bridge spans both sides, and the crowing of chickens can be heard in three counties'. Here, the three counties refer to Hefei County, Shucheng County, and Lujiang County, and Sanhe is the junction of the three counties. The bluestone on the bridge deck has been polished very smooth, full of historical imprints. There are white marks on the side of the bridge, which were formed by the bridge builders mixing glutinous rice juice, alum, egg white, etc. and grouting them into the cracks of the stones. Glutinous rice juice has super strong bonding properties. There is a dragon head above the bridge pier and a dragon tail on the other side, which is not only a decoration, but also a warning for floods

(III) Charm of Ancient Alleys

The old neighborhoods of the ancient town preserve their antique architecture and stone paved roads, making them the best place to experience the charm of the town. The shops and houses on both sides of the ancient street were first built in the early Qing Dynasty and took shape in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. The commercial and residential characteristics are obvious, mostly consisting of one or two story brick and wood structures. The plane is block shaped, with two or three courtyards. From the street to the river, there are shops, workshops, houses, and storage. The bottom space is transparent, like Liu Tongxinglong Village. Due to differences in the products sold and production processes, storefronts and workshops may have counters set up on the street or on both sides of the interior, with one color red panel doors along the street. The second floor is designed with a walking horse focused corridor as the plane transportation, and the street facade separates each shop and house with simplified horse head walls. The details such as the gatehouse, window arches, and handrails are simple in design, highlighting practicality. The wall is mainly made of plain bricks, with grey walls and grey tiles, and red door panels and colorful signs interspersed among them

(4) Other attractions

Ancient ancestral halls: The ancient ancestral halls in the ancient town witness the changes of history and the inheritance of families. These ancestral halls are solemn and elegant, with strong historical and cultural value. Tourists can learn about ancient family systems and * * culture here, feel the cohesion of the family and the charm of traditional culture

Ancient dwellings: The ancient dwellings in Sanhe Ancient Town have their own characteristics, some are buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, while others blend different architectural styles. The ancient dwellings preserve many ancient furniture and decorations, showcasing the lifestyle and aesthetic concepts of the people at that time. Visiting ancient dwellings can allow tourists to gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of the ancient town, and experience the wisdom of ancient people's lives

Ancient Theater: Ancient theater is an important part of ancient town culture. This used to be a place for people to watch opera performances, carrying rich cultural connotations. The ancient theater has a unique architectural style, carved beams and painted rafters, which are very exquisite. Tourists can imagine the lively scenes of traditional Chinese opera performances and experience the cultural atmosphere of the ancient town here

Ancient Well: The ancient well in the ancient town is a witness to history. These ancient wells have withstood the test of time and are still well preserved. The well water is clear and sweet, providing domestic water for the residents of the ancient town. Tourists can visit ancient wells, learn about ancient water collection methods and living habits, and experience the ancient charm of the town

4. Tasting of Special Cuisine

(1) Sanhe Rice Dumplings

Sanhe Rice Dumplings, as a traditional famous snack in Sanhe Ancient Town, can be said to be a masterpiece. Its outer skin is golden and crispy, and with a bite, it makes a "sizzling" sound, as if telling the unique charm of rice dumplings. The stuffing is delicious. The dumpling skin is made of indica Rice noodles. The unique taste is not as soft as ordinary flour, but it has more toughness. The filling is usually made from ingredients such as pork belly, white rice shrimp, and dried tofu. The deliciousness of river shrimp blends with the tenderness and smoothness of tofu, combined with the richness of pork belly, making the taste of rice dumplings rich and layered, leaving a lasting aftertaste

(II) Sanhe Rice Wine

Sanhe Rice Wine has a rich and sweet taste, with a bright orange red color and luster. Taking a sip, the richness of rice wine spreads out in the mouth, and the sweet and fragrant taste lingers on the tip of the tongue, making people intoxicated. It complements the beautiful scenery of the ancient town and is a great choice for relieving summer heat

(3) Other delicacies

Li Hongzhang's mixed soup: This dish gathers a variety of ingredients, with a rich broth and abundant nutrients. The taste is rich and diverse, with the deliciousness of seafood, the richness of meat, and the freshness of various vegetables. Tasting Li Hongzhang's mixed bag is like savoring a period of history, making people feel the prosperity and refinement of that era. The recommended tasting location is Sanhe International Hotel, with an elegant environment and authentic dishes

Crispy Duck Ingot: Using light duck as the main ingredient, cleverly controlling the heat, the soup is clear, the skin is dry and fragrant, the meat is soft and tender, the food does not bite, and the taste is crispy. Taking a bite, the crispness of the duck skin perfectly combines with the freshness and tenderness of the duck meat, making it irresistible

Tofu noodle fish soup: The tenderness and smoothness of tofu blend with the delicious fish soup, and the noodles have a chewy texture. This delicious food has a delicious taste and rich nutrition. It is a popular home cooked dish among the residents of the ancient town and is also loved by tourists

Sanhe Duck: Sanhe Duck has fresh and tender meat with a delicious taste. Whether it's braised, steamed, or boiled in soup, it can all showcase its unique flavor. The meat of the duck is firm and elastic, leaving a lasting aftertaste

Horseshoe Crispy: The taste is very crispy, the price is not expensive, and it is a must bring local specialty. Bite it down and make a "click" sound. The crispy texture is intoxicating, sweet but not greasy, making it an excellent snack for leisure time

Sanhe shrimp paste. The shrimp has a delicate life. The delicious shrimp and the mellow Rice noodles blend together, making it a delicious food with rich local characteristics

Fifth, Perfect Day Trip Plan

Morning

• Sanhe War Memorial Hall: In the morning, come to the Sanhe War Memorial Hall with a reverence for history. Here is a collection of rich historical relics and pictures, vividly depicting the beacon years of the Three Rivers Victory during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom period. The exhibition layout in the museum is carefully crafted, making people feel as if they have traveled through time and space, immersing themselves in that magnificent history. By carefully observing cultural relics, reading historical introductions, and listening to vivid explanations from commentators, one can gain a deeper understanding of the background, process, and significance of the Three Rivers Victory, and feel the heroic and tenacious spirit of the Taiping Army at that time
• Liu Tongxinglongzhuang: After leaving the Sanhe War Memorial Hall, head to Liu Tongxinglongzhuang. This mansion of a famous merchant in the late Qing Dynasty covers an area of 700 square meters, with 32 rooms in five courtyards and eight compartments, and is built in the style of Huizhou. The two-story wooden building facing the street has a magnificent atmosphere, the second entrance is the unique Zouma Zhuanxin Building, the third entrance is spacious and bright, used to receive visitors, the fourth entrance is the ancestral hall, and the fifth entrance is the peaceful and comfortable living quarters. Here, you can enjoy exquisite Huizhou style architecture, learn about the prosperous commercial scene of the late Qing Dynasty, and feel the commercial atmosphere at that time. It seems like you can see the bustling scene of the old lobby bustling with traffic. Liu Tongxinglong's business starts from Yinshan in Lu'an in the north and extends to Nanjing and Shanghai in the south, extremely prosperous. The daily sales volume of rice can reach more than 500 tons, with an annual income of tens of thousands of silver dollars. He also operated salt shops, porcelain shops, pawnshops, etc., which makes people marvel at the strong strength of the merchants at that time

Noon

• Ancient Town Restaurant: Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the ancient town,