It is said that there is no business without banking. In the Shanghai Bank Museum, banking goes beyond income and expenditures. Below is a brief introduction to the museum's three permanent exhibitions.

An exterior of Shanghai Bank Museum. [Photo/sm.biztec.cn]

Traditional Chinese credit institutions and foreign financial institutions in post-Opium War China

With carefully designed scenes and vivid wax statues, the Shanghai Bank Museum immediately brings visitors to the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when traditional credit institutions, including money shops and pawnshops, formed a prosperous picture. Here visitors can see a variety of relics such as notes, seals, badges, machines, publications and propaganda items, all of which have a long history. A highlight of this section is a wall of more than 100 seals. Seals not only served as forgery-proof tools, but are also pieces of art that demonstrate excellent carving skills.

A money shop scene from the late Qing Dynasty in the Shanghai Bank Museum. [Photo/sm.biztec.cn]

The rise of Chinese financial institutions and the financial industry during the Republic of China period (1912-1949)

Banking in the Republic of China period experienced both heydays and setbacks. The early Chinese-funded financial institutions started to prosper, and the financial center of China emerged. However, the hyperinflation shortly before the founding of the People's Republic of China caused countless people to suffer. On this floor, visitors can appreciate the most valuable treasure of the museum: the only set of renminbi steel boards engraved by the American Bank Note Company in the world. Observing under a magnifier, you will see why it is almost impossible to plagiarize an ingeniously designed steel engraving board. The extremely intricate patterns are simply too difficult to be faked.

A renminbi steel board engraved by the American Bank Note Company in the Shanghai Bank Museum. [Photo/WeChat account: shbankmuseum]

The post-1949 financial sector in China

On this floor, visitors can learn about some of the most significant events that contribute to today's banking system in China, such as the establishment of the People's Bank of China, the main financial measures in the early years of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the huge advance in China's financial sector after the reform and opening-up. This part also exhibits many precious banknotes. Among them, the "herding horse" banknote is called the king of renminbi notes.

Address: No 301 Middle Fuxing Road, Huangpu district

Open: Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 9:30 am-4:30 pm (Last entry at 4 pm)

Transport: Take Metro Line 10 or 13 to Xintiandi Station and exit at Exit 2.

Contact: 021-63129005 (group visits require reservation)

Admission: The price of tickets during trial operations is 5 yuan (68 US cents) each. Free admission for children under 1.3 meters as well as for the disabled, active soldiers, and the elderly with valid forms of identification.

Sources: "shbankmuseum" WeChat account, sm.biztec.cn