A generic method has been developed for the synthesis of crystalline metal nanowires or nanotubes (such as bismuth nanotubes, tungsten nanowires) from lamellar structures. In a typical process, lamellar surfactant/inorganic composite precursors are first prepared by reacting cationic or anionic surfactants with inorganic species under appropriate conditions. After treating these precursors by hydrothermal pyrolysis, or other processes, crystalline metallic nanotubes or nanowires are obtained.