Xiasha: Shenzhen’s Historic Urban Village | Generated by AI
Question: Give a comprehensive introduction to Xiasha in Shenzhen.
Answer:
Xiasha (下沙), also known as Xiasha Village, is a historic urban village located in the Shatou Subdistrict of Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. Situated in the southwestern part of Futian, it borders Shenzhen Bay to the south, the Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve to the west, and is in close proximity to Hong Kong across the water. This prime location offers excellent transportation links, with major roads like Binhe Avenue running nearby and the Xiasha Station on Shenzhen Metro Line 9 providing easy access.
History
Xiasha has a rich history dating back over 800 years to the Southern Song Dynasty (around 1248 CE). It was founded by Huang Motang (黄默堂), the first ancestor of the Huang clan, who established the village on a sandy beach area, initially named Dongyong Township. Over centuries, it developed into six natural sub-villages (including Dongyong, Dawei, and others), all inhabited predominantly by the Huang surname lineage. The villagers traditionally engaged in farming, fishing, and oyster cultivation. Key historical sites include the tomb of the founder on Lianhua Mountain and the Huang Siming Ancestral Hall (黄思铭公世祠), built in the Ming Dynasty and designated as a municipal cultural relic protection unit in 1998.
Culture and Traditions
Xiasha is renowned for preserving Lingnan (South China) cultural traditions. Its ancestor worship ceremonies, dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty, are recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage. A highlight is the Poon Choi (大盆菜, basin feast), a communal dish with layered ingredients served in large basins, symbolizing unity and abundance. The village’s massive Poon Choi banquets have set records, including a 2002 event with over 5,310 tables and 60,000 participants, earning Guinness recognition. Other folk activities include dragon and lion dances, martial arts, and Cantonese opera performances.
Modern Development
Like many Shenzhen villages, Xiasha transformed dramatically after China’s reform and opening-up in the 1980s. The original villagers formed Xiasha Industrial Co., Ltd., shifting from agriculture to industry, real estate, and commerce. This urbanization turned it into a classic “urban village” (城中村) with dense “handshake buildings” (closely built rental apartments) housing tens of thousands of migrant workers. Despite rapid modernization, Xiasha has invested in preserving its heritage, exemplified by the Xiasha Village Museum (built in 2005), which chronicles its 800-year history through exhibits on origins, traditional life, and post-reform prosperity. The museum is free and open to the public.
Today, Xiasha features modern amenities: green parks, cultural squares, sports facilities, shopping centers, schools, and hotels. It serves as a model of rural urbanization in Shenzhen, blending old traditions with contemporary living. The village has undergone renovations, creating upscale areas while maintaining community vibrancy.
Significance
Xiasha represents the broader story of Shenzhen’s evolution from fishing villages to a global metropolis. It highlights themes of cultural preservation amid urbanization, communal wealth from collective land ownership, and the integration of migrants. As one of Futian’s largest urban villages, it offers a glimpse into authentic local life, folk customs, and the contrasts of old and new Shenzhen.
References:
- Trip.com - Shatou Xiasha Village
- EYESHENZHEN - A journey through history: SZ’s national intangible cultural heritages
- Baidu Baike - 下沙村
- Shenzhen Shopper - Xiasha Museum