China Chamber of Commerce Museum

China Chamber of Commerce Museum

The China Chamber of Commerce Museum is located at No. 15 East Street, Pingyao County, covering an area of over 900 square meters. It includes eight exhibition rooms such as exhibition halls, research rooms, and industrial-commercial association meeting rooms. It recreates the history of chambers of commerce with detailed documentary materials and authentic cultural relics, and provides an in-depth introduction to the background, development, organizational structure, and historical significance of Chinese chambers of commerce.

Room 1: Overview

The China Chamber of Commerce Museum was established on the former site of the Pingyao Chamber of Commerce. In the seventh year of the Guangxu reign (1881), the Qi County Qu family opened the Huiyuan Yong Draft Bank here. In the third year of the Xuantong reign (1911), the Pingyao Chamber of Commerce purchased the building to use as its headquarters. After the liberation, the chamber was reorganized into the Federation of Industry and Commerce. The China Chamber of Commerce Museum was founded in 2002.

Chambers of commerce emerged with the budding of early capitalist commodity economy in China, based on merchant guilds and guildhalls. They served as coordinating bodies among merchants, between merchants and the government, and between merchants and society, functioning as statutory social organizations. Their roles were equivalent to those of today's economic, industrial-commercial, fiscal, tax, quality inspection, and pricing departments. They were the most influential economic organizations and the most vibrant emerging social groups in China during the late Qing and early Republican periods. During the gestation of China’s market economy, chambers of commerce achieved historic feats and engaged in fierce, life-and-death struggles against imperialism and feudalism during the turbulent years of the early 20th century.

These are old photos of the 1910 U.S. Pacific Coast Chamber of Commerce delegation visiting the Hanyang Iron Works and being received by the Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce. This is a commemorative photo of the establishment of the General Office of the Provincial Chambers of Commerce Federation. This is a photo from the Provisional National Conference on Tariff Issues of the National Chambers of Commerce Federation. As tariffs symbolize a nation’s commercial sovereignty, these images reflect the historical status and significant role of chambers of commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce Totem Screen is exquisitely carved from rosewood in openwork design. The overall composition features “two dragons playing with a pearl,” with two large dragons on either side connected by bats—symbolizing the homophone for “fortune”—representing “two dragons bringing fortune.” Inside the circle are dragons, phoenixes, qilins, and turtles, signifying “prosperity through the union of dragon and phoenix,” “qilins delivering treasures,” and “everlasting wealth.” The entire screen is ingeniously conceived and masterfully crafted, holding high cultural and artistic value.

Mr. Zhang Kaiyuan, an expert in modern Chinese history, said: “Studying Chinese history since the late Qing without researching the history of chambers of commerce would be a major omission. Fortunately, research on chamber history has attracted increasing attention from scholars both in China and abroad.” Here you can find compilations of historical archives from the Tianjin and Xiamen chambers of commerce, chronicles from the Guangzhou and Shenyang chambers, case studies on the Suzhou chamber, overall studies of Chinese chambers, periodic reviews of chamber research, and proposed plans for future research. These studies have formed relatively consistent views on the historical context, nature, characteristics, and functions of chambers of commerce. They provide boundless insights for the regulation of market economy operations, the construction of industrial-commercial organizations, and the development of entrepreneurial talent.

In 1995, the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce was restored, and in 2002, the Houjie Chamber of Commerce in Dongguan was established. This shows that chambers of commerce, from municipal to township levels, have generally been revived or newly established. The middle two images depict warm discussions between former PRC President [name redacted], former All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Chairman Jing Shuping, and former U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Steve Van Andel, showing the high-level concern for chamber development. Earlier this year, our museum was also designated as a “Research Base” by the China Society of Commercial History and the Professional Committee on the History of Chinese Chambers of Commerce.

To study history, one must step into history. To understand history, one must immerse oneself in it. Let us step into the history of chambers of commerce.

Room 2: The Prehistory of Chinese Chambers of Commerce

The earliest forms of chambers of commerce in China were called “guilds.” During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the “fang-shi system” was implemented, while in the Song dynasty they were called “tuan.” By the mid-Ming dynasty, merchant associations had emerged, leading to the creation of “merchant guildhalls.” The roles of merchant guildhalls were: first, to gather fellow townsmen and secure political and economic influence locally to compete successfully; second, to take care of fellow townsmen’s lives and protect their interests; third, to organize various cultural and recreational activities according to hometown customs. Representative merchant guildhalls include the Shanxi Guildhall in Suzhou, the Shan-Shaan Guildhall in Sheqi, Henan, the Huguang Guildhall in Beijing, the Shan-Shaan Guildhall in Liaocheng, Shandong, and the Guangdong Guildhall in Tianjin. These are all materializations of merchants' assets, thoughts, culture, and art. The Shan-Shaan Guildhall in Sheqi, Henan, adopts a traditional symmetrical central-axis architectural style and is a national cultural relic protection unit. The Huguang Guildhall in Beijing reflects the cultural characteristics of the Hunan-Hubei region—lofty main halls, winding side courtyards, concealed chambers, and refined scenery—and embodies the “Unity of Heaven and Humanity” philosophy from the I Ching. From August 20 to September 17 of the first year of the Republic of China (1912), Dr. Sun Yat-sen reorganized the Tongmenghui and established the Kuomintang here. The theaters in the Shanxi Guildhall and Guangdong Guildhall in Suzhou are exquisitely designed. The renowned writer Yu Qiuyu once described: “Suzhou has a fairly large ‘Chinese Opera Museum.’ I’ve taken foreigners there many times, and it never fails to amaze them—especially the ingeniously crafted stage and performance venues, which even world-renowned architect I.M. Pei considers miraculous. But the entire museum is actually built on the original site of the Shanxi Guildhall, a gathering place for Shanxi merchants doing business in Suzhou.” Guildhalls later evolved into gongsuo (public halls), which shared similar membership and service functions but were generally called “guildhalls” when established by merchants of the same hometown abroad, and “gongsuo” when formed by merchants of the same trade. While guildhalls and gongsuo significantly developed the socio-economy and protected merchant interests, they carried the narrow-mindedness of feudal guilds. Only with the emergence of chambers of commerce did Chinese merchants' organizations enter a new era of modern organization.

Rooms 3 & 4: The Birth and Development of Chambers of Commerce

In the 21st year of the Guangxu reign, patriotic gentry-merchants and intellectuals such as Zheng Guanying and Kang Youwei petitioned the imperial court to establish chambers of commerce. In the 22nd year of Guangxu, the Nantong gentry-merchant Zhang Jian specifically wrote “On Chambers of Commerce,” discussing the necessity, organizational methods, and functions of establishing chambers. However, it wasn’t until the 28th year of Guangxu that China’s first chamber of commerce—the Shanghai Commercial Assembly—was established. Why? In early spring 1902, negotiations for the Sino-British Commercial Treaty began in Shanghai. The Chinese representatives were Lü Haihuan and Sheng Xuanhuai; the former had served as ambassador to Europe, and the latter was Li Hongzhang’s well-known official handling Westernization efforts. Behind them, Viceroy of Liangjiang Liu Kunyi and Viceroy of Huguang Zhang Zhidong provided strategic advice. Yet, despite such a formidable team, they were immediately at a disadvantage. Aside from the defeated status of the Qing government, a crucial reason was that the British Chamber of Commerce had extensively prepared before the talks, whereas China had neither its own chamber for consultation nor legal statutes to rely on. Under pressure, the Qing government had no choice but to act urgently. Sheng Xuanhuai ordered then-Shanghai Daotai Yuan Shuxun, along with prominent gentry-merchant Yan Xinhou, to quickly establish a chamber. This also aligned with the broader context of the Qing court’s push for new policies and industrial-commercial promotion under internal and external pressures. Yan Xinhou, the first president of China’s first chamber of commerce, had a varied background: he studied in private schools, apprenticed in money shops, worked as a clerk in silver stores, later established Tongde Salt Shop in Tianjin, founded the “Yuanfengrun” firm in Shanghai, served as general manager in establishing China’s first modern bank—the Imperial Bank of China—and opened gold shops in Tianjin, silk shops and sack factories in Shanghai, as well as inland shipping companies. He also founded machine-flower pressing and textile mills in Ningbo, and donated to public projects like the Tanggu and Ningbo railways. He was a scholar and pioneer in founding China’s chamber of commerce.

In the 29th year of Guangxu, the Qing government established the Ministry of Commerce to oversee national commercial policy and promulgated the “Twenty-Six Articles of the Simplified Chamber of Commerce Charter” upon imperial approval. Consequently, the Shanghai Commercial Assembly was reorganized into the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce per law, followed by the establishment of chambers in Tianjin, Hankou, Nanjing, Xiamen, and others. Thereafter, chambers played vital roles in founding commercial schools and newspapers, organizing industry expos, resisting American goods, managing the Tianjin Silver Crisis and Shanghai financial turmoil, and supporting the Xinhai Revolution.

In the first year of the Republic of China, 45 local chambers resolved to form the “Chinese National Federation of Chambers of Commerce.” In the third year, the First National Congress of Chambers of Commerce was held in Shanghai, where the federation’s charter was adopted, officially establishing the Chinese National Federation of Chambers of Commerce. In the fourth year, a provisional national congress was convened in Shanghai, pressuring the government to amend the Chamber Law, thereby legitimizing the federation as a formal commercial body. Though established later than provincial or municipal federations and lacking their authoritative influence, the national federation still served as a key node for chambers to engage in commercial policymaking and connect with the government. It played significant roles in opposing the “Twenty-One Demands,” supporting the May Fourth Movement, and advocating tariff autonomy. Zhou Jinzhen was the first president of the Chinese National Federation of Chambers of Commerce. In the 19th year of the Republic, the International Chamber of Commerce’s China branch was formally established. In the 20th year, China officially joined the International Chamber of Commerce. After the founding of the PRC, chambers were restructured into the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade was established.

Rooms 5 & 6: Functions of Chambers of Commerce

The Qing Dynasty, Beiyang Government, and Republican Government all legally defined the functions of chambers of commerce. In practice, chambers often extended their roles beyond economic activities into education, public welfare, and politics, significantly contributing to the development of national industry-commerce, national independence, and social progress.

First, chambers managed commercial affairs, coordinated industry relations, expanded commercial strength, and protected businesses. They connected industry players and shared commercial intelligence—for example, the “Directory of Directors and Supervisors of Shanghai Trade Associations” gifted to our museum by the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce was designed for networking and information exchange. Chambers promoted education and talent development by founding commercial schools—for instance, we have photos from the National Commercial Education Conference, the Shanghai Library, documents from the Tianjin Chamber regarding school establishment, and the top-tier commercial school founded by the Gaoyang Chamber. They organized product exhibitions to boost circulation—for example, photos from the opening of the Jiangsu Provincial Product Exhibition, letters from the Shanghai Chamber regarding silk exhibitions, and shares from the Suzhou Chamber joining the Nanyang Industrial Exposition. The 1910 Nanyang Expo in Nanjing, jointly hosted by chambers in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Suzhou, was the grandest and most influential exposition of its time, helping many traditional brands gain international recognition. Chambers also mediated commercial disputes—for example, records from the Beijing Chamber’s Commercial Arbitration Tribunal and a list of cases handled by the Tianjin Chamber.

The Hezhuo table is made according to local customs. It consists of two semicircular tables used separately but joined together after successful negotiations or accurate accounting, symbolizing successful cooperation.

The account cabinet is exquisitely carved from huanghuali wood.

Second, chambers represented the collective interests of the business community, safeguarded legitimate rights, participated in commercial policymaking, and played key roles in bridging commerce with government and society. They conducted commercial surveys to inform policy—for example, the Tianjin Chamber’s investigations into importing foreign spinning equipment and the state of national industry during the Beiyang period, whose methodologies rivaled modern statistical standards. They assisted policymaking by engaging in discussions on commercial laws, taxes, and foreign treaties—for example, telegrams from the Chinese National Federation of Chambers to the Fengtian Chamber regarding tariff issues, photos of city chambers welcoming anti-production-sales tax advocate Shao Hongji, and letters from the Legal Rights Discussion Committee. They maintained commerce by intervening in events threatening the business community, supported individual merchants in developing industries—for example, membership certificates from the Suzhou Chamber and credentials issued by the Beijing Chamber to jeweler Gu Xiping. They founded commercial newspapers to enhance information flow and societal recognition—for example, letters from the Tianjin Chamber supporting newspaper establishments, photos of the Tianjin Commercial Newspaper, and publications like the Shanghai Chamber Monthly, Chinese Merchants United Newspaper, Chongqing Chamber Monthly, and Chinese National Federation of Chambers Bulletin, all of which played active roles at the time.

Third, chambers drove social change. They coordinated resistance against excessive taxes, joined reform movements, fought for equality and national interests—for example, Shanghai business groups supporting the 1919 May Fourth Movement, the Tianjin Chamber reporting on Sun Yat-sen and Huang Xing’s northern tour during the Xinhai Revolution, twelve Shanghai merchants appointed as Special Municipal Councilors, and the tearful kneeling protests of the Merchant Salvation Association dressed in white, demonstrating tragic heroism for national survival. Chambers also contributed to municipal development, public security, and charity—for example, the fire engine gifted to [figure redacted] by a chamber.

In September 2003, former Minister of Propaganda Zhu Houze and former Deputy Director of the Central Rural Policy Research Office Liu Kan remarked: “China historically prioritized agriculture over commerce, and during the ultra-left era even persecuted merchants. This museum is excellent—it educates people and offers positive insights for market economy development.”

Whether in guildhalls or chambers, the God of Guan Yu was worshipped, embodying both “loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, and bravery” and serving as the “God of Wealth.” The couplet “Ennobled as Marquis in Han, King in Song, Emperor in Ming; Revered as Sage by Confucians, Buddha by Buddhists, and Celestial Worthy by Taoists” reflects the high esteem bestowed upon him across dynasties and schools of thought.

The Bagu Pavilion was once used to display craft items, many of which are porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties, holding high cultural and artistic value.

The full-length mirror has the unique feature of reflecting your entire figure regardless of distance, serving not only for grooming but also symbolizing the need to understand, analyze, and evaluate matters comprehensively—avoiding biased judgments.

The rosewood rattan bed was one of the most precious pieces of furniture in the past, known for being warm in winter and cool in summer, as well as moisture-resistant and damp-proof.

The Prosperity Screen is typically displayed in the living room. At its center are depictions of the "Three Officials" and the "Hundred Sons." The Three Officials refer to the Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity—commonly known as the "Three Stars Shining Brightly." The Hundred Sons symbolize the blessing of having many children. On either side are carvings of the Eighteen Arhats. All of these represent heartfelt wishes for the homeowner and guests.

The old plaque above inscribed with “Protect the Nation and Support Commerce” reflects not only the chamber of commerce’s mission but also a concise summary of its functions.

To gain a multi-faceted and in-depth understanding of the chamber of commerce, we have also set up exhibits in the backyard, including those on provincial and county chambers, the chamber’s council chamber, and China’s chambers of commerce going global.

Room 7: Pingyao Commercial Branch of the Shanxi Chamber of Commerce

The Shanxi Chamber of Commerce was established in the 34th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1904), with its headquarters located on Nansi Street in Taihu County. It was organized by gentry and merchants from Qi, Ping, and Gu counties, tasked with handling the province’s daily commercial affairs. In the first year of the Republic of China, the Shanxi Chamber of Commerce moved from Taihu to Taiyuan. The reasons for the relocation were: first, the shift of Shanxi’s modern industrial and commercial focus from Qi, Tai, and Ping to Taiyuan; and second, the completion and opening of the Zhengtai Railway.

The operational bodies of the Shanxi Chamber of Commerce included departments for documentation, accounting, statistics, and general affairs. For a considerable period, it also had a commercial affairs office, a commercial militia, and a commercial arbitration tribunal. Over different periods, it established training institutions such as banks, bookkeeping schools, commercial colleges, business training institutes, workshops, and also ran publicity arms like newspapers.

The responsibilities of the Shanxi Chamber of Commerce included investigating commercial conditions and regularly reporting to the Ministry of Commerce, conveying the grievances and opinions of merchants across the province to the ministry, transmitting official documents and directives from the ministry, applying to the ministry for company registrations, trademark registrations, product tax exemptions, patent applications, and other commercial matters.

The Shanxi Chamber of Commerce operated for several decades and played a significant role in promoting the development of Shanxi’s modern industry and commerce, the establishment of the national bourgeoisie, and social transformation.

Pingyao was a commercially developed town during the Ming and Qing dynasties, so the Pingyao Chamber of Commerce is quite representative. From the setup of internal departments, the selection of chamber leaders, and the execution of its functions, we can get a basic picture of a county-level chamber. The historical contributions made by the presidents of the Pingyao Chamber of Commerce to the town’s economic and social development and to the preservation of the ancient city are immeasurable. During the Xinhai Revolution, fourteen money shops suffered damage. Fan Yuanshu, the first president, joined forces with the presidents of the Qi and Tai chambers to plead in Beijing, saving the remittance business. He was received by then Premier and Finance Minister Xiong Xiling. Later, when forming the national bank, Xiong Xiling assigned him to recommend talent. President Song Menghuai outwitted Lu Yongxiang’s troops and skillfully dealt with the Japanese invaders, thereby preventing the bloody massacre and destruction of the ancient city of Pingyao, allowing this well-preserved World Heritage Site to remain. This is a congratulatory mirror gifted by Mr. Song Menghuai when the Pingyao Chamber of Commerce was founded. President Fan Chunian, who worked in finance for many years, authored *The Organization and Evolution of Shanxi Money Shops*, and his manuscript is displayed here. President Wang Ruen founded a flour mill and an electric light company, pioneering new industries in Pingyao, and funded a business school that improved the overall quality of the merchant community. Presidents Gong Guanghua and Tian Zhongyu were also outstanding leaders of the chamber, uniting merchants, resisting official interference, and revitalizing and protecting commerce. When President Gong passed away, the funeral procession organized by the business community stretched over two li. This bronze plaque inscribed with “Safeguarding the Trade” was gifted to President Tian Zhongyu by the Pingyao Beijing Goods Trade Association.

Room 8: Chamber Council Chamber

Chambers of commerce generally have a council chamber, which serves as the venue for discussing and deciding major issues. The “Council Rules” set strict regulations on meeting chairmanship, decision-making, implementation, and supervision. The “Meeting Conduct Rules” clearly specify that speakers must stand, speak concisely and clearly, no two people may speak at once, no more than three speeches per agenda item, and each speech must not exceed five minutes. Our museum also houses precious materials such as photos and meeting records from council chambers in Shanghai, Suzhou, and elsewhere.

The central four-panel screen inlaid with natural marble and redwood, along with the redwood dragon-carved document cabinets on both sides, demonstrate the chamber’s luxurious and imposing facilities due to ample funding. This truly lives up to the folk sayings, “A poor yamen, a rich chamber,” and “A poor police station, a rich chamber.”

In July 2003, Zhang Xuwu, Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, once sat here and happily talked about how his grandfather wrote *On Chambers of Commerce*, briefly recounting the history of China’s chambers, and even inscribed the words “Inherit and Develop.”

Room 9: Chinese Chambers Going Global

The journey of Chinese chambers going global began with their interactions with foreign chambers. In 1910, delegations from Japanese and American chambers visited China. These delegations toured cities including Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Beijing, Tianjin, Yantai, Fuzhou, and Guangzhou over a period of forty days. During this visit, the U.S. and Chinese sides actively discussed cooperative projects such as establishing a Sino-American joint bank, a Sino-American shipping company, a Sino-American goods exhibition hall, and exchanging commercial investigators. It could be said that formal joint ventures between Chinese and foreign businessmen began from this point. From April to September 1915, a Chinese chamber delegation visited the United States, touring 26 cities and visiting dozens of stores, farms, and schools. In 1922, the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce (as part of the Chinese delegation) attended the Pacific Business Conference. In 1926, the Shanghai General Chamber led a delegation to Japan. In 1931, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce officially joined the International Chamber of Commerce, showcasing its image to the international business community, expressing its demands and aspirations, enhancing mutual understanding, and positively influencing the development of China’s industry and commerce as well as the expansion of foreign trade.

Foreign chambers such as those from France, Britain, the United States, Japan, and Germany were established early and have had significant influence. Here you’ll find the International Chamber of Commerce charter and foreign currency samples.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of China’s chambers of commerce, an international academic symposium themed “Chambers and Modern China” was held here in September this year. Over ten experts from the United States, Japan, and Singapore, more than ten from Taiwan and Hong Kong, and over forty domestic experts gathered here.

Please head to the visitor center to rest and browse our museum’s publication *From Antiquity to Modernity: The China Chamber of Commerce Museum*.

Attraction Location

No. 15, East Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City