Museum of Chinese "Xietongqing"Ancient Bank

The Museum of Chinese "Xietongqing" Ancient Bank, founded in 1856 and ceasing operations in 1913, provides a fascinating insight into the financial practices of the Qing Dynasty. Originally a hub for foreign exchange, deposits, and loans, the building subsequently served as a Chamber of Commerce and, after 1949, a maternity and children’s hospital. Unlike other banks in Pingyao, this site features a basement level, allowing visitors to explore the “gold” storage room. The bank’s history is enriched by a tale of Zhaodepu, a talented man hired despite family history, whose home hosted Empress Cixi in 1900, leading to the bank’s prosperity. The complex consists of six courtyards and utilizes life-size mannequins and miniature scenes to illustrate banking procedures and employee regulations.