More than 500 years ago, a legendary group of Jin merchants emerged in Shanxi province who opened up an international trade route called the “Sino-Russian Ten-Thousand-mile Tea Road” extending from Fujian in the south to Mongolia and Russia in the north and linking Europe and Asia. They created Piaohao (or Draft Banks, the early form of “bank” in China) and set up an array of rules, contributing to a commercial miracle that connects the whole country. They also established a great legacy, from the Qiao Family Courtyard, the Wang Family Courtyard, and the Chang Family Manor to the pioneering spirit of the Jin merchants featuring honesty, cooperation, pragmatism, and the greater good of society. Let’s explore the history of Jin Merchants.