Nanfei River

Nanfei River

The source of the Nanfei River is a clear, small stream. Above the stream stands an ancient "Red Stone Bridge," and along the riverbanks grow dense reeds and irises.

If the Large Stone Tablet is the landmark of the Nanfei River's source, then the Red Stone Bridge carries centuries of history. This place was once a vital thoroughfare connecting Liu'gang Town in Shou County and Shuangdun Town in Changfeng County. Year after year, people pushed wheelbarrows across the bridge, leaving deep ruts on the red stones. The small stream flows southward from the Red Stone Bridge for 3 kilometers to reach the Chuhe Main Canal, then continues southeast all the way to the Dongpu Reservoir. In total, the Nanfei River stretches over 70 kilometers, traversing Hefei’s urban core, before finally flowing into Chaohu Lake.

The geographical location of the Nanfei River source is very unique, situated right on the ridge of the Jianghuai Watershed Divide. It is not only the junction of three counties (districts), but also the origin point of two rivers (the Nanfei River and the Dongfei River).

Using Gangbei Neighborhood Committee as a reference point, 3 kilometers to the west is Liu'gang Town in Shou County, and 1 kilometer to the north is Gangji Town in Changfeng County. Because this is where the two rivers meet, it is said to be the origin of the name “Hefei.” The source of the Dongfei River lies just 1 kilometer west of the Red Stone Bridge.

The common origin of the two great Fei Rivers is located in a 200-acre water area—Laopo Weir—in Shuangmiao Village, Gangji Town. From their source, the rivers part ways, divided by the Jianghuai Watershed Divide: the Dongfei River flows northwest toward the Huai River, while the Nanfei River flows southeast toward the Yangtze River.

Protection: Residents within 5 kilometers of the source relocated away from the water source

The long-flowing Nanfei River, mother river of Hefei. To protect the headwaters of the mother river, agricultural non-point source pollution and rural domestic pollution must first be addressed—and relocation is the best solution.

Since the launch of the construction of the Hefei Airport Economic Demonstration Zone, protecting the water source of the Nanfei River has been systematically incorporated into the planning. Within the resettlement housing plans for the demonstration zone, a dedicated water source protection resettlement housing project was included.

Building a 4A-level scenic area based on ecological agriculture

In the future, the Nanfei River Source Scenic Area will be adjacent to Baojiao Temple Reservoir, bordering Wangchang Road to the west, Xingang Road to the north, Tuanyue East Road to the south, and National Highway 206 to the east. It will include Gangbei Neighborhood Committee in Gaoliu Town, Baojiao Temple Village, Songke Village in Gangji Town, Duanchong Village in Xiaomiao Town, Quzui Village and Yanshan Village in Sanshigang Township. Here, there will be modern farms, farming experience zones, fishing centers, rustic homestays, and a water sports training base.

In the Nanfei River Source Scenic Area, special protection will also be given to a historic wartime battlefield—the site of the Battle of Changgang Victory—Beiaizi (a small basin north of Changgang Old Street). The ambush battle that took place in “Beiaizi” in 1942 saw the Chinese army inflict heavy losses on more than 300 Japanese soldiers at relatively little cost. Preserving this wartime site allows visitors to enjoy the rural scenery while also experiencing the history of the eight-year War of Resistance, commemorating the immortal achievements of the anti-Japanese heroes.