Xiadi Ancient Village

Xiadi Ancient Village

Xiadi Ancient Village is located about 28 kilometers northwest of Chaoyang District, Shantou, covering an area of approximately 2.5 square kilometers. It borders the middle section of the Rong River to the west and faces the South China Sea. The village was established during the Xianchun era (1265–1274) of the Southern Song Dynasty. The population of the ancient village consists solely of people with the Huang surname, and the local language spoken is the Chaoshan dialect. Currently, there are over 5,000 permanent residents, and the village economy is primarily agricultural. In 2012, Xiadi Village was recognized as one of “Guangdong’s Ten Distinctive Ancient Villages.”

The ancient village is surrounded by farmland on three sides. The residences are typical old-style Chaoshan houses, with many buildings dating back to the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods. Rows of “Descending Tiger” houses stand side by side, “Four-Point Gold” structures are common, and “Four-Horse Carriage” layouts remain well-preserved — such as the Huang Wuxian Provincial Governor’s Mansion, which is a county-level cultural heritage site. Other historic features include ancient banyan trees, fortress walls, small bridges, and waterways, all from ancient times. Huang Wuxian (1821–1898) was a native of Xiadi Village in Guanbu and a renowned general during the late Qing Dynasty. He served under Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang in military campaigns across the country and rose to the rank of First-Class Governor of Yunnan. With over 30 years of military service, he achieved remarkable military accomplishments, maintained integrity and clean governance, and upheld justice. Both during his service and after retiring to his hometown, he did much good for the people. In the Chaoyang folk tradition, he is respectfully referred to as “Governor Huang.”

In Xiadi Village, Guanbu Town, Chaoyang District, Shantou, there is a historical site known as the “Governor’s Mansion,” originally called “Jianwei Residence,” also referred to as “Tai Chong Ancestral Hall,” and commonly known as “Xiulin Old Mansion.” It was the residence of Huang Wuxian, who once served as Governor of Yunnan during the Qing Dynasty.

The Governor’s Mansion faces southwest and is situated to the northeast, covering an area of 8,334 square meters with a total built-up area of 6,000 square meters. It is a classic example of a “Four-Horse Carriage” architectural style. The central ancestral hall symbolizes the “carriage,” while the secondary buildings on either side represent the “horses” pulling it. In this way, the ancestors enshrined in the “carriage” are depicted as being grandly carried forward through history by their descendants, who are symbolized by the “horses” on the sides. The rise and fall of the family, the glory of the ancestors, and the prosperity of the descendants are all vividly reflected in this magnificent structure.

The village customs are typical of the Chaoshan region but also have unique characteristics. The area has a rich cultural heritage, with well-preserved ancient study halls and private schools. Its folk arts are diverse and vibrant, with continuous inheritance of Chaoshan music and performance arts. The water town farmhouses and pastoral scenery exude the refined charm of the ancient village, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.