Abstract: In order to study the seismic performance of rural masonry buildings strengthened with high ductile concrete (HDC), the shaking table tests were performed on two brick-wood structures with a scale of 1/2. The first model was unreinforced, and the second model was reinforced by HDC. The two models were compared in terms of natural frequency, acceleration response, displacement response, torsional effect and failure mode. The seismic performance of the two models was evaluated. Test results showed that the unreinforced model had lower self-oscillation frequency, larger displacement response and more pronounced torsion effect. The unreinforced model was severely damaged under the design basis earthquakes. The strengthened model had larger self-oscillation frequency, slower stiffness degradation and smaller displacement response than the unreinforced model, the out-of-plane deformation of brick gables was controlled clearly, and the damage due to structural torsion was significantly reduced. Marginal damage was caused to the HDC surface layer under the rare earthquakes conditions. The strengthened model can achieve the performance target of 'repairable under rare earthquakes'. The application of the retrofit system is expected to improve the overall seismic capacity of the structure.