World View:
A China that allowed and even searched for contact with foreign countries instead of being a silly shut in. As such, there is a slow (maybe not that slow) but steady inflow and exchange between the east and the west. Imagine if the Ming dynasty didn't fail.
If you want a date take late 1600s~1700s as reference, but I'm accelerating the speed of inventions
(hey, I bet things would have been invented earlier if the Chinese had joined in).
Closest genre: Steampunk, but in China
:: The common everyday conveniences that we have are only just starting to spread. (electricity, telegraph/phones,
internet:: The newest big thing they have is the steam powered locomotive (aka train). It hasn't gotten everywhere yet though, and to preserve the beauty of the lake, its historical pavilion, and the historical-ness of the town the closest train station is still on the outskirts of town.
:: No, the people don't think the train is a monster.
On woman's rights...
:: Feet binding and the whole "woman should work in the kitchen and be presentable to guests" thing does not exist.
:: Education is promoted for both genders.
:: Yes their fathers still want to marry them off at an early age (16), and arranged marriages are still common, but woman having proper jobs is starting to spread.
:: In other words, women can run their own shop, and while respected for her abilities, people will still be wondering why the hell she isn't married yet.
On currency...
:: Look
here:: Copper < Silver < Gold
:: Copper is usually in coins with square holes in the center so they may be stung together (into taels if you have enough); silver and gold may either be in broken pieces or whatever shape and form.
