It's very possible that not many people know about Shenzhen's thousand-year-old fishing village, Hesou Ancient Village. Located about 900 meters away from the well-known Xichong Beach, Nan'ao Township, Hesou Ancient Village is one of the only remaining fishing villages in the city.
Endowed with a natural seaside view and different types of homesteads, it is quieter than the Li River in Guangxi and more mysterious than Gulangyu Island in Xiamen.
The village has a history of more than 600 years, and it has typical Cantonese-style buildings. Covering an area of around 20,000 square meters, there are now about 320 old houses in the village.
The village is home to traditional Lingnan-style folk houses. With gray tiles and white walls, the folk houses have remained intact even after being battered by the wind and the rain for nearly one thousand years.
According to documents, the village was originally built by a family surnamed Liu about 600 years ago. Most of the buildings in the village now include traditional Cantonese-style buildings built in the 1970s, small bungalows built in the 1990s and small houses built in recent years.
There are two ancient mansions that used to be the homes of the two richest families in the village. The mansions are very well preserved and are open to the public as historical landmarks.
Xietian Palace is another must-see spot in the village. The palace was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Inside the palace, there is a memorial stone with a detailed record of the village's history. Another ancient stone was also found in the palace and is now exhibited at the Shenzhen Museum.
Although it is only 900 meters from Xichong Beach, it's always forgotten by tourists. Hanging around the old village and having fun on the beach by day and staying in a homestead or observing the stars and embracing the fresh sea breeze on the beach by night is a good way to spend time in the summer.
Besides fresh seafood, there are also many traditional delicacies you can try. Recommended takeaways include honey, roasted chicken, Artemisia leaf cakes and puddings.
Add: Hesou Ancient Village, Xichong Community, Nan'ao Subdistrict, Dapeng New District
Transport: Take bus E11 from the Shenzhen North Railway stop to Nan’ao Subdistrict Office, then transfer to bus M232 and get off at Hesou Village.
Record Number With Public Security Organs: