Rishengchang Exchange
Xida Street, Jinzhong, Shanxi, 031199
Considered China’s first bank, the 19th-century Rishengchang Exchange sits at the heart of UNESCO World Heritage–listed Pingyao, a city that was once one of China’s financial centers. The low-rise courtyard complex is now a museum, with more than 20 rooms devoted to banking history. The vaults contain safes where gold and silver were stored.
The basics
Tickets for Rishengchang Exchange are included in the Pingyao Old Town pass. English and French signage is patchy, which means you can enjoy the architecture, photos, exhibits, and vaults independently. Touring with a guide can offer insight. Half- and full-day walking tours are the most common way to explore historic Pingyao. Two-day Pingyao tours expand beyond the old city and take in surrounding attractions such as the Wang Family Courtyard, Shuanglin Temple, and Zhangbi Ancient Castle.
Things to know before you go
History buffs and architecture fans appreciate the Rishengchang Exchange.
Allow 15 minutes to an hour to visit the site, depending on your interest in banking.
Parts of the low-rise structure are accessible by wheelchair.
How to get there
The Rishengchang Exchange sits on West Street in the heart of historic Pingyao, about a 5-mile (8-kilometer) drive from Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station, the city’s high-speed train station. Bullet train connections to cities including Xi’an, Beijing, and Datong are available, but none are fast enough to make it a practical day trip.
When to get there
The Rishengchang Exchange is open from morning until early evening seven days a week, with slightly shorter hours in winter (November–March). Pingyao Old Town gets crowded at weekends and can overflow during China’s Golden Week holidays at the start of October and May, so plan your visit for midweek.
On the finance trail in Pingyao
Finance fans will find plenty to entertain them in and around Pingyao. The ornate Qiao Family’s Compound, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of the city, shows how the wealthy financier Qiao Zhiyong lived with his family. A short stroll from the Rishengchang Exchange, the Tongxinggong Escort Agency, an early precursor of modern security companies, shows how services developed—complete with a martial arts area where guards polished their skills.
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