Sānshuǐ

Sanshui takes its name from the meeting of the West, North and Sui rivers, a junction of waterways leading toward Guangzhou and the western interior. The Ming established Sanshui County in 1526, choosing a site at Hekou for its seat; construction of the town walls began the following year. Travelers passed through the river junction in both directions. In 1589 the Jesuit Matteo Ricci and his companions changed boats here on their journey from Zhaoqing to Shaozhou, taking a vessel suited to sailing upstream.