Feixi Xiaonanhe

Feixi Xiaonanhe

The picturesque Xiaonanhe River is located within Sanhe Town in Feixi County. It flows from south to north through the ancient town area and connects with the scenic Chaohu Lake region via the Fengle River and the Hangbu River. The waters of Sanhe are beautiful, and they bring vitality to this ancient town. The river is crystal clear and mirror-like—when you look down, you can see fish swimming in the water, willows drooping along the banks, and even clouds reflected on the riverbed, all vividly clear. Taking a sightseeing boat from Xiaonanhe Dock and drifting downstream, you can sip fragrant tea while leisurely admiring the scenery on both banks as you pass by, fully enjoying the idyllic water town views of “small bridges, flowing water, and village homes,” and washing away the dust of the city.

Xiaonanhe is over 2,900 meters long, with magnificent Huizhou-style architecture lining both banks. The blend of old and new elements creates a natural and harmonious scene—the white horse-head walls and dark roof tiles are staggered and rise elegantly, built along the contours of the land. There are also teahouses, wine shops, pavilions, and towers standing by the water, with numerous small bridges nestled among them.

Xiaonanhe runs through Sanhe Ancient Town and is the mother river of Sanhe. Historically, it has been the most bustling area of the town. Especially between Wangyue Bridge and Erlong Bridge, spanning Sanxian Bridge and Quezhu Bridge, the riverside is dotted with many historic sites and lined with taverns. Large-scale stone reliefs depicting Sanhe’s “Ten Reluctant Things to Leave Behind” and the story of the Taiping Army’s great victory at Sanhe have been installed along the banks. Using these as a backdrop, various performances are held on painted boats. Spotlight, laser, and scanning lights are set up in both the sightseeing and performance areas, while the boats themselves are adorned with large and small decorative lanterns, creating a stunning visual effect and becoming a new highlight of Sanhe tourism.

Xiaonanhe is one of the three rivers in the ancient town of Sanhe and is part of the Sanhe Scenic Area.

Sanhe Town got its name from the fact that it is traversed by three rivers: the Fengle River, the Hangbu River, and the Xiaonanhe River. It has a history of more than 2,500 years. As far back as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the town had already taken shape. In ancient times, Sanhe was called “Quezhu,” and during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period, it was initially known as “Que’an,” a strategic location contested by the states of Wu and Chu. In 510 BC, the famous Wu general Wu Zixu led his army to defeat the Chu forces here. During the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Cao of the Wei Kingdom trained his navy at Chaohu Lake, and Sanhe also served as a garrison for Wei troops. After the Jin Dynasty, it became known as “Quezhu Town,” and it wasn’t until the Ming Dynasty that it began to be called Sanhe Town. In 1858, the Taiping Army also fought fiercely here, leaving behind numerous historical relics such as city walls and the Tianwang Mansion courtyard complex.

Sanhe Town is also a typical ancient water town, and its scenic charm is no less than that of Zhouzhuang in southern Jiangsu. At the same time, it boasts a rich collection of cultural landscapes, forming the unique “Eight Antiquities” of the Jianghuai region: ancient rivers, ancient bridges, ancient dikes, ancient streets, ancient houses, ancient teahouses, and ancient battlefields. Located at the junction of Feixi, Shucheng, and Lujiang counties, as well as at the convergence of Hefei, Chaohu, and Lu’an cities, it is said that “one step crosses three counties, and the crowing of a rooster can be heard in all three.”

Xiaonanhe is located in Sanhe Town, Feixi County, about 50 kilometers from Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province. Hefei has opened direct shuttle buses to the Sanhe Scenic Area. Travelers coming to Sanhe can first go to Hefei and then take the scenic area bus directly.