Weitaihoupiaohao Museum in Pingyao, Jinzhong

Rishengchang Former Site (日昇昌旧址) is located at No. 38 West Street (西大街), Pingyao County (平遥县), Jinzhong City (晋中市), Shanxi Province (山西省). To the north it faces West Street, to the south it extends to Dongguojia Alley (东郭家巷), and to the east and west it adjoins the former sites of Weitaihou Draft Bank (蔚泰厚票号) and Xingyilong Money House (兴义隆钱庄). Established in the 3rd year of Daoguang (1823) during the Qing Dynasty, it covers an area of 1,402 m² and is recognized as China’s first draft bank (票号).

The complex sits facing north with three courtyards: central, east, and west. The east courtyard was Meiheju (美和居) food shop, the west courtyard was Rixinzhong Draft Bank (日新中票号), and the central courtyard contained five shopfronts with three courtyards in depth. Rishengchang (日昇昌) holds an important place in the history of Chinese commerce and finance, serving as crucial material evidence for the study of Chinese draft banks and financial history.

On May 25, 2006, the Rishengchang Former Site (日昇昌旧址) was announced by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China as part of the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

• Chinese Name: 日昇昌旧址
• Other Name: Rishengchang Draft Bank (日昇昌票号)
• Location: No. 38 West Street (西大街), Pingyao County (平遥县), Shanxi Province (山西省)
• Era: Qing Dynasty
• Area: 1,402 m²
• Protection Level: Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units
• Approval Authority: State Council of the People’s Republic of China
• Code: 6-0484-3-187

Historical Evolution

The predecessor of Rishengchang Draft Bank (日昇昌票号) was Xiyucheng (西裕成) Pigment Shop. In the 3rd year of Daoguang (1823), manager Lei Lvtai (雷履泰) and proprietor Li Daquan (李大全) transformed Xiyucheng into a draft bank specializing in remittance and deposit services, naming it Rishengchang (日昇昌). Its head office was established opposite the original pigment shop, at the present-day Rishengchang Former Site (日昇昌旧址).

In September 1914, due to the bankruptcy of the Heshengyuan Draft Bank (合盛元票号) of Qixian (祁县), Rishengchang was implicated and forced to close temporarily, later reopening with government mediation. By 1932, the bank ceased operations.

In 1940, some partners established Zhongfu Bank (中孚银号) in the front courtyard and Rishengchang Money House (日昇昌钱庄) in the rear courtyard. Zhongfu closed in 1942, leaving the front courtyard idle, while the Money House continued until its closure in 1948. After the liberation of Pingyao (平遥) in July 1948, the county public security team occupied the site for office use, later succeeded by other institutions, most notably the Pingyao County Supply and Marketing Cooperative, which altered some structures while repairing others.

In 1995, the cooperative vacated the site. Restoration followed, including roof repairs, refitting of decorative elements, and reconstruction of kang (heated beds) and stoves. On October 18, 1995, the Rishengchang Former Site officially opened to the public.

In March 1996, Pingyao County established a dedicated museum, displaying relics of Shanxi draft banks and the development of Chinese financial institutions, formally naming it the China Draft Bank Museum (中国票号博物馆). Between 1996 and 2009, extensive restoration projects were carried out, including courtyards, halls, stables, kitchens, and decorative elements.

Architectural Layout

The Rishengchang Former Site (日昇昌旧址) faces north, with a front-shop–rear-yard layout. The main courtyard consists of three sections, flanked by the west courtyard (Rixinzhong Draft Bank, 日新中票号) and the east courtyard (Meiheju (美和居) food shop).

• East Courtyard: divided into three smaller courtyards (north, middle, south).
• West Courtyard: consists of two sections (front and rear).
• Main Courtyard: arranged from north to south, including shopfronts, front courtyard with side rooms, middle courtyard with side wings (accounting rooms, offices), central hall, manager’s quarters, rear courtyard with side rooms (guest rooms, kitchen), and the rear hall.

In total, the complex has 65 rooms, occupying 1,402 m², with a building area of 1,501 m².

Main Buildings

Shopfront

The shopfront spans five bays in width and three rafters in depth, with a two-story single-eaved gabled roof and front porch design.

Central Hall

The central hall spans three bays in width and two rafters in depth, with a two-story single-eaved gabled roof and front porch. It served as the meeting hall for Rishengchang. Inside, painted screens, calligraphy, and classical furniture decorated the space, symbolizing prosperity and scholarly refinement.

Manager’s Quarters (掌柜房)

Located behind the central hall, the manager’s quarters span three bays. Above the entrance hangs a plaque reading “Brilliant Sunshine” (丽日凝辉), with couplets celebrating prosperity. Rooms were allocated to the chief and deputy managers, with plaques inscribed “Sincerity” (率真) and “Integrity” (存厚).

Rear Hall

The rear hall spans five bays in width and two rafters in depth, with a simple gabled roof.

Exhibitions

The China Draft Bank Museum (中国票号博物馆) established within the site contains 17 exhibition halls:

• Halls 1–4: Deposit-taking, lending, and silver storage operations of Rishengchang.
• Hall 5: Use of correspondence to manage 30+ branches and the managerial strategies of Rishengchang leaders.
• Hall 6: Original account books and documents illustrating the bustling remittance business.
• Hall 7: Customer relations and business development.
• Halls 8–9: Historical archives of the Pingyao and Shanxi banking guilds.
• Hall 10: Life and strategies of banker Lei Lvtai (雷履泰).
• Hall 11: Stories of co-founders Mao Hongxiang (毛鸿翔) and Cheng Dapei (程大培).
• Halls 12–13: Daily life scenes of Rishengchang.
• Hall 14: A historical overview of China’s century of draft banks.
• Halls 15–17: Introduction to national draft banks, including those of Taigu (太谷) and Qixian (祁县).