Huiyuan Pawnshop

Huiyuan Pawnshop is a tourist attraction outside the Dongzha Scenic Area, and not many people visit it. Perhaps there are not many people as curious as us.

The pawnshop counter is quite high. At 5'6", I barely reach the window. They say this is so that pawnbrokers standing in front of it can't see the items on the counter, instilling a sense of awe and making them afraid to bargain with the pawnshop owner. It's also said to prevent conflict. They also say it's a shield, preventing pawnbrokers from seeing what the pawnshop staff are doing.

The walls of the pawnshop were also exceptionally high, probably to prevent theft or something.

The pawnshop seemed to be a two-story structure. The bottom floor was a counter, and then there were various storage rooms. I felt like I had a certain understanding of ancient pawnshops.

There is also a large storage room upstairs. I feel that the ancients were really wise.

The ancient pawnshop introduces the origin of the pawnshop and its internal operation process and division of labor. If you have never seen a pawnshop, you must go and see it. It is very authentic. What I want to say is that if you do not return to the original route when leaving the pawnshop, you will go out from the outside of the pawnshop. At this time, you will pass by a small shop run by an old lady. She makes all her own handmade things, and the prices are super cost-effective. It can basically be said that it is the most cost-effective shop in the East and West Zones. The old lady is also very good. She will tell you which places sell things that are scams and you should not buy them. So I recommend that you can take care of the old lady's business when you pass by. People like me who really don't have much to buy ended up buying a blue and white headscarf...

The Huiyuan Pawnshop is a truly stunning building. The counter is exceptionally high, supposedly to protect against theft and robbery, and also to give the impression of being high above. Indeed, this is the case.

Outside the scenic area, combined tickets are available, and you can also visit the pawnshop's interior

I walked to the door of Huiyuan Pawnshop and went inside to see that the counter was ridiculously high. If you wanted to pawn something, you had to crane your neck to reach it. The people behind the window gave you a sense of oppression and it was very scary.

The Huiyuan Pawnshop is located in a small alley, quite deserted, as if it were isolated from the bustling tourist area. As soon as you enter, you'll see a large "pawn" sign, followed by a very tall pawnshop counter. It was my first time visiting the back of a pawnshop, and I saw that each area had its own function: some stored treasures, some did the accounting, and some stood on the tall counter, looking down at the people who came to pawn their items.

South of Yingjia Bridge stands the Huiyuan Pawnshop. This pawnshop was founded by the local Xu family during the Daoguang era and remained in business until the last local shop closed. A unique feature of this pawnshop is that, unusual in the pawnshop industry, it lacked a high counter and wooden fence, a gesture of respect for pawners. However, it appears the counter is now of a more standard height.

There's not much to see inside, basically just a glimpse of what a pawnshop looked like at the time.

I sat down on a high stool and acted as the shopkeeper for a while.

When I first entered, I was really shocked by the high counter.

Located on Changfeng Street, between Yingjia Bridge and Nanhua Bridge, it has a five-bay storefront with tall counters (1.8 meters high) upstairs and downstairs, which is quite impressive.

--In ancient times, Wuzhen was the commercial center of the surrounding area, and the pawn industry was well developed. At its peak, there were 13 pawnshops.

Huiyuan Pawnshop, located in the East Gate of Wuzhen, was in operation until the Republic of China period and now maintains its original appearance.

Huiyuan Pawnshop, located in the East Gate of Wuzhen, was in operation until the Republic of China period and now maintains its original appearance.

It's in an inconspicuous corner, but I think it's worth a look.

This place witnessed the prosperity of Wuzhen in the past as the commercial center of Jiangnan, and the items displayed inside are absolutely antique.

The counter in the pawnshop is very high, and it is always difficult to ask for money at any time, haha.

You can learn about pawning knowledge in ancient times!

Huiyuan Pawnshop is located inside Dongzha and requires a ticket to enter.

Once you enter, the appearance of the ancient pawnshop is still preserved, and you can walk inside and visit the second floor.

On the second floor there are some small exhibition halls about the history of pawnshops.

Since I bought the ticket, it’s a good idea to go in and take a look.

There are travel notes. I particularly like the Jiangnan region with its water towns.

Located between Yingjia Bridge and Nanhua Bridge, the Huiyuan Pawnshop boasted a five-bay storefront, with upstairs and downstairs, and a 1.8-meter-high counter, a truly impressive sight. According to the Wuqing Town Chronicles, Wuzhen had 13 pawnshops at its peak, with only seven remaining before the Taiping Rebellion. By 1931, only Huiyuan Pawnshop remained. Before the Japanese invasion, pawnshops saw only turnover and no new customers, and soon closed down. With Huiyuan's closure, the history of pawnshops in Wuzhen came to an end. Today, Huiyuan Pawnshop remains in its original location.

Wuzhen was once the commercial center of the surrounding area, with a thriving pawnshop industry. At its peak, there were 13 pawnshops. In 1931, only Huiyuan Pawnshop was still operating. By the time of the Japanese invasion, Huiyuan Pawnshop had also closed down. With the closure of Huiyuan Pawnshop, the history of pawnshops in Wuzhen came to an end.

The Huiyuan Pawnshop boasts five bays on two floors. Downstairs, the tall counter (1.8 meters high) is quite impressive. Upstairs, there's a brief introduction to the pawnshop's operations and a display of pawn tickets.

Downstairs is the pawnshop counter, and upstairs is a brief introduction to the pawnshop's operations and some pawn ticket displays.

We performed a play on the gate of a big house here, it was fun

Overall: It's quite quiet, not crowded with tourists. It's well-preserved, reminiscent of a pawnshop. Very nice!

View: Very unique, tucked away in a small alley. Most tourists don't come here, as it's already at the end of Dongzha. If you prefer a less crowded environment, this is a treat. Tickets are combined, so don't lose them, as they'll need to be checked! There's a little history on the second floor, where you can experience the life of a shopkeeper!

Local: At the end of the alley should be a normal house. I think! Pretty good~

Located between Yingjia Bridge and Nanhua Bridge, the Huiyuan Pawnshop boasted a five-bay storefront, with upstairs and downstairs, and a 1.8-meter-high counter, a truly impressive sight. According to the Wuqing Town Chronicles, Wuzhen had 13 pawnshops at its peak, with only seven remaining before the Taiping Rebellion. By 1931, only Huiyuan Pawnshop remained. Before the Japanese invasion, pawnshops saw only turnover and no new customers, and soon closed down. With Huiyuan's closure, the history of pawnshops in Wuzhen came to an end. Today, Huiyuan Pawnshop remains in its original location.

It's pretty good. I feel that the settings of some scenic spots in Wuzhen are quite thoughtful.

Located between Yingjia Bridge and Nanhua Bridge, the Huiyuan Pawnshop boasted a five-bay storefront, with upstairs and downstairs, and a 1.8-meter-high counter, a truly impressive sight. According to the Wuqing Town Chronicles, Wuzhen had 13 pawnshops at its peak, with only seven remaining before the Taiping Rebellion. By 1931, only Huiyuan Pawnshop remained. Before the Japanese invasion, pawnshops saw only turnover and no new customers, and soon closed down. With Huiyuan's closure, the history of pawnshops in Wuzhen came to an end. Today, Huiyuan Pawnshop remains in its original location.

Downstairs is the pawnshop counter, and upstairs is a brief introduction to the pawnshop's operations and some pawn ticket displays.

It's just the remains of a pawn shop from a long time ago. There's nothing inside.

Huiyuan Pawnshop is located between Yingjia Bridge and Nanhua Bridge. It has a five-bay storefront with upstairs and downstairs, and a 1.8-meter-high counter, which is quite impressive.

A building on the Dongzha side, with counters and other things displayed inside

This is a very impressive building with five bays, and it's one of the most imposing buildings in Wuzhen. The tall counters are just like those in TV dramas, and they're intimidating. It's definitely worth a visit.

Is it because I didn’t visit it in detail or what, this attraction seems to have nothing to see at all...

I visit Wuzhen every year for a relaxing break, and I've been there no fewer than five times. I've stayed at waterfront guesthouses twice, but the overall value wasn't great. The rest of the time, I've stayed at Zhaoming Shushe, a very affordable hotel that usually requires booking a month in advance. It's a quiet and elegant retreat nestled in the city. The Shusheng mutton stall in the alleyway is absolutely amazing—a must-try in autumn and winter. I've visited all of Wuzhen's attractions more than a dozen times, most recently with my 50D and 1740 lens. Feel free to ask me any questions.

Not bad! Not bad! Not bad! Not bad! Not bad! Not bad!

Actually, Wuzhen itself is really interesting, but now it is becoming more and more commercialized, which is not good.

Located on Changfeng Street, it was founded during the Daoguang period by Xu Huanzao, the ninth-generation grandson of Xu Donghao, the richest man in Wuzhen. The five-bay storefront, with upstairs and downstairs and a 1.8-meter-high counter, is quite impressive. In many tourist guides, Huiyuan Pawnshop is classified as part of Nanzha. It was not until we were asked to show our tickets by the staff that we learned that it has now been included in the Dongzha Scenic Area and has become one of the attractions in Dongzha. Therefore, we were unable to enter and explore as we had not yet purchased tickets, which was a real pity.

Wuzhen is the most beautiful town in the south of the Yangtze River that I have ever visited. It belongs to Tongxiang City.

The counter at the pawn shop is really high. You can imagine the psychological pressure when you walked into the pawn shop to pawn your things.

Inside are the furnishings of the original pawnshop, with very high counters and cabinets where items are placed in different categories. You can take a quick look at it!

Although there is nothing left inside, it is still nice to be able to walk in and experience the fun of being a shopkeeper. When I came out, I bought some very cheap handicrafts from two old ladies. It was quite affordable and I have to recommend it.

This attraction is not big and you can see it at a glance once you enter.

This commercial building scene that I only see in movies, I saw it in the real Wuzhen.

It's just a pawn shop, with a big pawn sign, which doesn't seem to mean much.

A tourist attraction in Wuzhen...

It looks like it was left over from the past, but it’s not clear whether it’s new or old.

It's just the remains of a pawn shop. It would be interesting if it could still be open now.

This is a restoration of the old pawnshop in Wuzhen. It is quite unique. The big "pawn" character can be seen from a distance. The high counter at the door makes visitors feel inferior. The old architecture is so humane. The layout inside the pawnshop is also very detailed, which shows that the designers of the scenic spot are really attentive. It is definitely worth a visit.

The attraction, part of the combined ticket, clears out at 5:00 PM and closes at 5:30 PM, so you can't enter. Huiyuan Pawnshop retains its original furniture and tall screens. There are rules for entering the shop: enter from the left and exit from the right, and don't shout names inside. The shop still retains a few old pawnbrokers' notes, which look like scribbled notes to us, allowing insiders to easily identify what customers are pawning. You can enter through the main counter and become the shopkeeper, aloof and commanding, with a commanding presence.

This is a perfect recreation of an old-time pawnshop. You can step inside and stand on a stool to experience what it's like to be the shopkeeper! There's no such thing as a pawnshop...

I've only seen pawnshops in TV dramas, but this is my first time seeing one in person. The counter is so high, so tall, the pawnbrokers are like a lower class. You can actually go inside the counter, and I got to experience what it's like to be a pawnshop owner. This attraction is definitely worth a visit, because I've never seen anything like it before, hahahaha.

I quite like this pawnshop. It is very interesting to go in. Then you can go upstairs. I like the architectural style of that era.

I walked into the pawn shop with great anticipation, and what caught my eye were some furniture. The place was small and I could walk through it in a few minutes, but I took a lot of photos.

It is outside the Dongzha Scenic Area, but you still need to check your ticket before entering, which is very interesting.

As for this attraction, I was unfamiliar with pawnshops before, but the antique atmosphere was quite nice! ~

Because we went early, there were not many people and we could take pictures inside. The wisdom of the ancients is amazing.

It was my first time seeing a real pawn shop, it was quite novel! The text explanation inside the shop was very interesting~~~

There is a scenic spot outside Dongzha. You can walk counterclockwise from the main gate of Dongzha to the exit, go out and visit the three scenic spots outside the scenic area first, and then swipe your ticket to go in. But remember that you can only swipe your ticket once, so you have to see everything outside before going in, otherwise your ticket will be invalid. The Huiyuan Pawnshop is quite interesting. There are not many people. You can't see what the inside looks like from the front of the pawnshop cabinet. You can go inside the cabinet and go up to the second floor. It's quite interesting and experience the feeling of the pawnshop owner and the pawners.

This is the first time I have felt the high counter. I can’t see inside the counter even if I stand on tiptoe.

Huiyuan Pawnshop was founded during the Daoguang reign. It has five storefronts, upstairs and downstairs, and a 1.8-meter-high counter. You can go in and experience the fun of pawning in ancient times.

A pawnshop with a sense of history and a weathered feeling

This attraction is actually almost out of the Dongzha Scenic Area

Outside the door, there is a big traditional Chinese character

There is no one inside, which preserves the style of an ancient pawnshop.

You can go around inside

This attraction is quite interesting.

It also attracted many tourists

There were very few people when I went there, and it was the first time I saw a real pawn shop.

Between Yingjia Bridge and Nanhua Bridge in Wuzhen, there is a tall wall outside and a two-story building with five bays inside. There is a high counter on the ground floor, which is a typical pawnshop layout.

Long history

It also witnessed the economic development of Wuzhen

Huiyuan Pawnshop is located in Xizha. The high pawnshop platform shows that it is a wealthy family.

It belongs to Dongzha, but it is outside the main scenic area. My husband wanted to go there. In fact, the scenic spot is average and not big, but my husband's vivid explanation made me feel that it was quite interesting.

Huiyuan Pawnshop is just a name and is now a commercial shop.

Huiyuan Pawnshop is located in Dongzha of Wuzhen. Of course, the interior is only for display, reflecting the settings and some processes of the pawnshop at that time.

The pawnshop is really classy, with a very high platform. Now it seems that this pawnshop is also the property of a wealthy family, great!

I have to say, this stage is really high. He always holds his head high.

A pawnshop in the Wuzhen scenic area. Of course, it is now a tourist attraction and there is no waiter.

The rebates in ancient pawnshops are very interesting.

There is nothing special about the scenic spot in Dongzha. It is just an ancient pawn shop. When I went there, there was a tour group.

There's actually not much inside the pawnshop, just some furniture to give visitors a glimpse into what it was like back then. It's a small place, easily accessible in a few minutes. It's fine for taking photos, but there's nothing special about it. If you have a guide, you can also listen to his explanations.

This place seems to have appeared in a novel, but I can’t remember it. Can you guess what it was?

Changfeng Street in Wuzhen's Central Market is a traditional shopping street. Among them is a pawnshop called Huiyuan Pawnshop, located between Yingjia Bridge and Nanhua Bridge. Its five-bay storefront, with upstairs and downstairs, and its tall counter (1.8 meters high) are quite impressive.

Wuzhen was once the commercial center of the surrounding area. Its pawnbroking industry flourished. In the early years of the Republic of China, the remaining pawnshops included the Baochang Pawnshop in Dongzha, the Baosheng Pawnshop in Nanzha, the Fengtai Pawnshop in Xizha, the Chuntai Pawnshop in Beizha, and the Huiyuan Pawnshop in Zhongshi. Huiyuan Pawnshop, the last surviving pawnshop in Wuzhen, closed during the Japanese invasion. Now, only two rusty iron doors remain, leaving behind a legacy of sorrow and solemnity.