Is it true that Sanshui means Three Waters? The name itself offers a hint of what makes this place unique.
Sanshui District is nestled in Foshan City Guangdong Province. It marks a point where three rivers meet. These are the Xijiang Beijiang and Suijiang rivers. This confluence gives Sanshui its very name Three Waters.
Sanshui was formerly romanized as Samshui. It is an urban district within Foshan City. The district is known for its “Samsui women”. These women emigrated to Singapore for work.
The area has a rich history. Archaeological sites near Baini town show human habitation dating back four thousand years. Sanshui County was formally established in 1526 during the Ming Dynasty. It then went through several administrative changes. It was merged into Nanhai County in 1959. It was then restored in 1960. By 1993 it was reorganized into a county-level city. Finally in 2002 it became a district under Foshan City.
But Sanshui is not only about its waters and history. It also has a bit of notoriety. In February 2008 a major fireworks explosion occurred here. Twenty fireworks warehouses exploded setting off over 15000 cartons of fireworks over 24 hours. This event caused shortages in the U.S. markets.
Sanshui administers several subdistricts and towns. These include Xinan Subdistrict Yundonghai Subdistrict and the towns of Lubao Datang Leping Baini and Nanshan. In 2010 the total population was recorded at 622645.
Sanshui’s economy benefits from the oil coal and slate found nearby. It is also a significant food producer particularly of fruit for Guangdong Province. The area was once dominated by the Jianlibao Company. This company produced a popular orange and honey soft drink. Mismanagement led to its decline. Despite its nearness to Guangzhou Sanshui remains relatively poor.
Getting to and around Sanshui is straightforward. It lies on the Guangzhou-Maoming railway line. Several expressways serve the area including the G15 and G55. These connect Sanshui to Guangzhou and other cities. National highways 321 and 324 also pass through the district.
Sanshui experiences a humid subtropical climate. The weather includes hot summers and mild winters. Rainfall is heaviest in summer.
Sanshui boasts several attractions. The Sanshui Lotus World is a large ecological garden. Daqitou Village showcases architecture from the Qing Dynasty. Sanshui Forest Park provides natural scenery and recreational activities. The Xujiang Ancestral Temple represents a blend of Confucianism Buddhism and Taoism.
So as you stand here in Sanshui consider its blend of natural resources industrious people and long history. From ancient settlements to modern industry Sanshui continues to evolve where the three rivers meet.