Shabian Village has a reputation of "Overseas Chinese Village with Hundred Watchtowers". Different from other quiet, relaxing villages that are surrounded by mountains and rivers in South District, it is more like a double-faced middle-aged person, telling stories of a long history while showing its aroma of an earthly life.
The story of Shabian Village began in the mid-19th century. Villagers Sun Zhengbang, Sun Shuqian and Sun Yu'ai took the lead in exploring business opportunities in northern British Columbia, Canada. Afterwards, more and more Shabian villagers began to make a living abroad. Nowadays, many people, originally from Shabian Village, live in more than 20 countries and regions around the world.
Numerous watchtowers are a major feature of Shabian Village. According to the village chronicles, there were once 99 watchtowers in Shabian Village before 1949, including 6 public ones. Due to the passage of time, only 68 are left in the village today, all of which are listed as immovable cultural relics by the municipal government. The existing watchtowers feature Western European, Gothic, Spanish and Southeast Asian styles.
Shabian School in the village.
One of the distinctive watchtowers in Shabian Village.
Paintings on the outer wall of a watchtower are well preserved.
Full view of Shabian Village.