High quantity of submicrocrystallites of cuprous sulfide CuxS (x = 1.86-1.96) with tubular structures and CU3Se2 nanowires have been synthesized under mild conditions. Using the as-prepared CuxS submicrotube as reducing and self-sacrificing templates, the ordered Au nanowires have been successfully obtained. The products were characterized by various techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), transmission electronic microscope (TEM), selected area electronic diffraction (SAED), and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The proposed growth mechanism has also been discussed. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.