EN
Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hu Qing Yu Tang)
The Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hu Qing Yu Tang)—located off Hangzhou’s historic Qinghefang Ancient Street—is a part of Hu Qing Yu Tang, a still functioning pharmacy from the Qing dynasty. Learn about traditional Chinese medicine while appreciating the historic architecture of the 29,000-square-foot (2,700-square-meter) complex.
The Basics
Hu Xueyan, a prominent businessman from the late Qing dynasty, founded Hu Qing Yu Tang in 1874. The museum was established in 1987 and has five parts: the Exhibition Hall, the Medicine Preparation Hall, the Chinese Health Care Clinic, the Restaurant of Medicinal Diet, and the Sales Department. There are numerous displays on different types of Chinese medicine, their component parts, as well as treatises on Chinese medicine going back thousands of years. Visitors can also learn about traditional pharmaceutical processes and even try their hand at preparing medications.
Hu Qing Yu Tang is easy to locate on Qinghefang Ancient Street. However, visitors may gain more insight from a guided tour, which will also typically cover other nearby attractions, such as the China National Silk Museum and Leifeng Pagoda.
Things to Know Before You Go
The museum is a must-visit for those with an interest in traditional Chinese medicine.
There is an entrance fee for the museum.
Displays of dead animals and animal parts may disturb some people, especially young children.
How to Get There
Hu Qing Yu Tang is located at 95 Dajing Lane, off Qinghefang Ancient Street, east of West Lake (about a 20-minute walk) and at the foot of Wushan Hill. Take Metro line 1 to Ding’an Road (Exit C) and walk 10 minutes to the south, or bus nos. 8, 60, 127, 195, 208, or 216.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
Hu Qing Yu Tang is open year-round. Museum staff typically provide a presentation, which is available in Chinese and English, at 9:15am, 10:15am, 1:15pm, 2:15pm and 3:15pm. Pharmaceutical process demonstrations can be requested at any time.
Hu Qing Yu Tang Chinese Health Clinic
Hu Qing Yu Tang also has a functional health clinic. Those who are interested can try a foot massage, Tui Na massage, acupressure, cupping, and other traditional Chinese medicine treatments. Prescriptions can then be filled at the on-site pharmacy.
- Qinghefang Ancient Street
- Leifeng Pagoda
- West Lake (Xi Hu)
- China National Silk Museum (NSM)
- Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda)
- Solitary Hill (Gu Shan)
- Red Carp Pond
- Meijiawu Tea Village
- Hangzhou Botanical Garden
- Qiantang River Bridge
- Lingyin Temple
- Fei Lai Feng (Flying Peak)
- National Tea Museum (Zhongguo Chaye Bowuguan)
- Wuzhen Water Town
- Zhouzhuang Water Town