Gaoyou Pawnshop

Gaoyou Pawnshop

Gaoyou Pawnshop is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Gaoyou Pawnshop

Located on the west side of Renmin Road, outside the north gate of Gaoyou City, it was established in the mid-Qing Dynasty. The building complex faces south and covers an area of over 3,300 square meters, arranged in five rows and five sections. Originally there were more than 80 rooms, including three counter rooms, three guest rooms, 24 jewelry rooms, over 30 numbering rooms, guard rooms, and over 20 living quarters. The core and most well-preserved part — the strongbox building (jewelry room) — is in good condition, surrounded by tall firewalls that make the exterior look like a square castle. The entire structure gives off a solemn and mysterious atmosphere. It is currently the best-preserved and largest ancient pawnshop relic discovered in China. The discovery of Gaoyou Pawnshop provides important physical evidence for the study of the pawn system and residential architecture in Jiangsu during the Qing Dynasty. In 2001, it was designated as a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and in 2006, it was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units