North China No.1 Escort Agency Museum
华北第一镖局
A museum on the escort business that guarded silver shipments for Shanxi merchants, with weapons, escort wagons, courtyard layouts and frequent martial arts displays.
Set on East Street, this museum occupies the site of a Qing-dynasty escort agency. It presents the history of escorts who guarded silver shipments for the exchange houses, along with escort banners, wagons, blades and spears, and a training ground. Martial arts demonstrations take place in the courtyard at irregular times, and children especially enjoy them. Pingyao’s exchange houses depended on escort agencies for protection, so the museum pairs well with a visit to Rishengchang and Xietongqing to understand the financial chain of the Shanxi merchants. It is included in the old town combined ticket.
Opening hours
08:00–18:30 (until 18:00 in winter)
Nearby sights
- Xietongqing Exchange House
- Rishengchang Exchange House
- Baichuantong Exchange House
- Pingyao City God Temple
- Qingxu Taoist Temple
- Pingyao Confucian Temple
- Pingyao County Government Office (Yamen)
- Pingyao Ancient City (Nan Dajie & Market Tower)