Sanhe Ancient Town is a historic water town south of Hefei, set around converging rivers, stone bridges, narrow lanes, and white-walled Anhui houses. It has the familiar ingredients of a preserved old town, but its value for travelers from Hefei is practical as much as architectural: it is close enough for a half-day or day trip and different enough from the modern provincial capital to feel like a genuine change of pace.
The main pleasure is wandering the old streets, crossing the small bridges, and sampling snacks along the waterways. Parts of the town are commercialized, especially on weekends, so go early if you want quieter lanes and better photos. It is a useful introduction to central Anhui town architecture without committing to a longer trip into the Huizhou region.