Nestled at the northern foot of the picturesque Wushan Mountain in Hangzhou, stands the magnificent and resplendent architectural complex known far and wide as the Huqingyu Tang Chinese Medicine Museum (胡庆余堂中药博物馆). Founded in 1874 by the renowned late Qing Dynasty merchant Hu Xueyan, Huqingyu Tang was an architectural marvel, embodying the essence of Jiangnan courtyard style with an investment of thirty thousand taels of silver. It inherited the prescription of the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Fang (太平惠民和剂局方)from the Southern Song Dynasty, collected renowned physicians’ traditional prescriptions, and meticulously prepared pills, powders, ointments, and pills, benefiting the people with remarkable efficacy, earning it the title of “Pharmacy King of Jiangnan.”
From the outset of its establishment, Hu Xueyan inscribed the words “是乃仁术” (to practice benevolent virtue) on the lintel of the main hall. Inside the hall hangs a golden plaque bearing the inscription “真不二价” (true price, not a penny more), while prominently displayed on the inner side of the shop is a 3m high and 0.9m wide panel titled “戒欺” (abstaining from deceit), which states: “All trades must abide by the principle of honesty, especially in the pharmaceutical industry where it concerns human life…”. This epitomized Hu Xueyan’s professional ethics and unwavering pursuit of quality. As a testament to this commitment, the golden shovel and silver pot he specially made to ensure the quality of the emergency medicine “Zi Qi Dan” are still well preserved, serving as rare treasures and valuable evidence in the pharmaceutical industry.
In 1987, within the ancient architectural complex of Huqingyu Tang, China’s first Chinese Medicine-themed museum was established. The museum, relying on the ancient buildings of Huqingyu Tang, consists of five main parts: the origin of Chinese medicine, exhibition display, handicraft workshops, business halls, and health clinics. It showcases a large number of traditional Chinese medicine-making tools and over ten thousand species of Chinese medicinal plants, animals, and minerals. Among them, rare treasures include medicinal materials unearthed from cultural sites such as the Hemudu Culture period in Zhejiang 7,000 years ago, the Ma Wang Dui tomb of the Western Han Dynasty in Changsha, and the sunken ship in Quanzhou Bay during the Song Dynasty.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 30 minutes |
| Ticket Price | 5 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0571-88909091 |
Location and Transportation
Located within the scenic area of He Fang Street in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, Huqingyu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum is situated at 95 Dajing Lane. You can take bus 8, 84, 195, or WE 1314, get off at Qinghefang Stop, and walk about 200 meters to the west to reach the museum.
