Sanhe Ancient Town – An Important Port Throughout History

Liu Tongxing Longzhuang was a renowned commercial establishment during the Ming and Qing dynasties, primarily dealing in rice, cloth, and salt. The entire complex consists of five courtyards, eight wings, and thirty-two rooms. Facing the street is a two-story wooden building, followed by a gallery-style building in the second courtyard. The remaining three courtyards consist of single-story houses. The third courtyard is an open hall used for receiving guests; the fourth courtyard, known as the “Fragrance House,” was used for ancestral worship; and the fifth courtyard served as living quarters, covering a total area of approximately 700 square meters.

The Dong Yinchu Memorial Hall is dedicated to showcasing the extraordinary life of Mr. Dong Yinchu. The exhibition is divided into six main halls: the first hall highlights the area’s distinguished people and culture; the second hall focuses on his family heritage; the third hall traces his scholarly lineage; the fourth hall covers his efforts in resisting Japanese aggression; the fifth hall details his contributions to national industry; and the sixth hall highlights the deep bonds he forged with successive generations of leaders.

Dafu Residence was the private home of civil officials during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It features a collection of Ming and Qing dynasty furniture and architectural elements. The residence is most notable for the “大夫第” plaque, inscribed by Zhu Fengbiao, who served as Minister of the Five Ministries (Ministry of Works, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, and Ministry of Personnel). The interior also showcases a variety of exquisite furniture, including a square table made of cherry wood from the Ming dynasty, rosewood and huanghuali armchairs, a nanmu wood cabinet, a golden silk nanmu canopy bed, and early Qing dynasty ancestral portraits.

Yang Zhenning’s Former Residence is dedicated to exhibiting the life and achievements of Professor Yang Zhenning. The residence consists of five courtyards. The first two courtyards display photographs and literary materials related to Professor Yang’s early life. The third courtyard is restored to its original state, reflecting the living conditions when Professor Yang resided there. The final two courtyards focus on showcasing his significant academic contributions and scientific achievements, along with some interactive science exhibits.

Sun Liren’s Former Residence is a typical Hui-style dwelling from central Anhui, consisting of two courtyards. The first courtyard houses an exhibition of photographs and text, detailing the life of Sun Liren. The display is organized into several sections, including his long journey of education, family heritage, determination and perseverance, his time studying in the United States, and his involvement in the “August 13” Battle of Shanghai during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Between the first and second courtyards is an open-air atrium, with displays on either side showing maps of the battlefields where Sun Liren fought. The second courtyard features a two-story building, with the ground floor serving as a reception hall and the second floor as a small wooden loft.

Xiangu Tower was established by Shi Daosheng, Peng Zhongqiao, and Wang Liangzhi, who jointly invested in the food industry under the brand “Zhonghexiang.” The tower has largely preserved its original appearance, including the “Compassionate Heart Benefiting the World” stone tablet from the 25th year of the Republic of China, which remains intact.

Wangyue Pavilion, also known as Guocui Tower, is a seven-story ancient tower standing 37 meters tall. It is situated next to Wangyue Bridge, a gracefully arched stone bridge made entirely of thick green stone slabs, with intricately carved green stone railings. The pavilion and bridge complement each other beautifully, with the pavilion built by the water, offering a picturesque scene of traditional Chinese architecture.

The Sanhe Battle Memorial Hall is dedicated to commemorating the Battle of Sanhe, a significant conflict during the later period of the Taiping Rebellion. In this battle, the Taiping Army successfully defeated the elite forces of the Xiang Army under Li Xubin’s command in Sanhe Town. The memorial hall features four exhibition rooms that use sound, light, and electronic technologies to recreate the battle scenes, offering visitors an immersive experience of this historic event.

According to local legend, Sanhe Rice Dumplings were first created by a father-daughter duo from the Wang family during the time when the Taiping Army was stationed in Sanhe. The dumplings were made specifically for Taiping generals Chen Yucheng, Li Xiucheng, and Wu Dinggui, who praised the dish highly. As a result, the recipe spread throughout the town, and it became a popular way to reward the soldiers, contributing to the success of the Sanhe victory.

This dish is known for its crispy exterior and the delightful combination of the fragrance of wheat flour and vegetable oil with the savory taste of pork. In the past, there was a famous local saying in Sanhe, part of a “Ten Things You Can’t Let Go” folk rhyme, which included the phrase “Eighth, you can’t let go of Tianranlou’s deep-fried shaomai,” highlighting its popularity in the region.

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