Xu Village--- No.1 Jingshi Village of Huizhou

Xu village, anciently called Xiyuan or Rengong Village, has a long history. Xu family is the biggest family in ancient Shexian County. Before Tang dynasty, Yan Family, Ren Family, Yang Family and Jiang Family removed here successively.

After the southern Song dynasty, Huizhou businessmen rose. Xu Village is an inevitable way from Anqing to Huizhou, hence it gradually became prosperous via its advantageous location. It is powerful economy dramatically promoted the development of the local folk residences. Up to the time of Ming and Qing dynasties, it was the golden time of the Xu village. The blooming history leaves Xu village a lot of historical and cultural treasures, especially its ancient architectural groups are the essence of this village. The ancient village atmosphere is well preserved in Xu village. There are more than 200 buildings of Ming and Qing dynasties. The local residence and the ancestral memorial are mainly built in wood. Bur the outer wall of the buildings, memorial archways and bridges, which act as the infrastructure are all made of stone material. There are 6 memorial archways, 3 brick gate archways, 1 pavilion.

The layout and the water system of Xu village is also the essential part of the cultural heritages of Xu village. The location of Xu village adopts the theory of geomantic omen in Chinese traditional philosophy. The whole viallage is located in mountain and water, embodies four basic features of coexistence, co-appearance, co-prosperity and co-happiness. In 1996, it was permitted to be the province-level historical and cultural protection zone. In 2006, it was approved to be the nation-class protection site of cultural relics. Currently it is on the way of preparation for applying for national town of culture and history and world cultural heritage.