Wizened old men and women sun themselves on shop doorsteps while young men sit in huddles on stools along the cobbled way, playing cards and majong.
One of the best ways to see the sights is riding a bicycle, which can be hired for the day for a couple of US dollars, and when you get tired, you can relax in a hidden courtyard of one of the many small inns and drink a cold Chinese beer.
China’s early banking history began here, and although accounting and finances can be tedious for some, the Rishengchang Financial House Museum, one of the many financial houses which once operated from Pingyao, is well worth a visit.
The museum has nearly 100 rooms, with old accountant’s desks, ledgers and abacuses on display, once the live-in home of bank officials, accountants and specially selected young boys who were chosen to become banking apprentices.
The boys were aged from 13 to 15 years and were required to be of good appearance, have good manners, and be at least 1.67m tall.
The Rischengchang Financial House handled 10 billion yuan over 108 years in operation and all of the company’s account ledgers are now held in the local government office.
In the courtyard of the museum, for only five yuan, an old man dressed in appropriate Qing Dynasty costume will write you a Chinese cheque in ink with a quill pen.
But don’t try and cash it.
Photo Credits
All Photos © Vincent Ross – All Rights Reserved
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