历史上的“走西口”去干什么？

旧中国历代都执行严格的户籍制度，重农抑商。明清两代在山西北部都设置了关口，人们看到了商机，于是走西口主要是进行商品贸易。早在明末，一些山西商人即以张家口为基地，往返关内外，从事贩卖活动。皮革、茶叶、盐、粮食……都是贩卖的物产。　　　　

兴盛一时的山西票号，在口外也大有名头。在张家口、包头、呼和浩特，至今都有以山西商人字号命名的城市街巷。如：张家口的日升昌巷，包头的复盛西巷，呼和浩特的定襄巷、宁武巷等等。

What is the "west" in history?

In old China, a strict household registration system was implemented, focusing on agriculture and suppressing commerce.In the Ming and Qing dynasties, gateways were set up in the northwest of the mountain. People saw business opportunities, so they went to the west mainly to trade goods.As early as the late Ming Dynasty, some Shanxi businessmen based in Zhangjiakou, to and inside and outside the customs, engaged in trafficking activities.Leather, tea, salt, grain... are all products sold.

Shanxi ticket number, also famous in the mouth.In Zhangjiakou, Baotou and Hohhot, there are all city streets named after Shanxi merchants.Such as: Zhangjiakou Rishengchang Lane, Baotou Fusheng West Lane, Hohhot Dingxiang Lane, Ningwu Lane and so on.