Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a patriotic education base.

The Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SHANGHAIMUSEUMOFTCM) reflects the trajectory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from its formation to prosperity, and from inheritance to innovation. It serves as a microcosm of the profound and extensive TCM discipline and culture. It is a university-affiliated, science and technology, and thematic museum. Under the leadership of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is a secondary institution of the university. It is a national, municipal, and Pudong New Area science education base, a national TCM cultural publicity and education base, a Shanghai municipal science popularization tourism demonstration base, a Pudong New Area patriotic education base, the second batch of Shanghai’s “Second Phase Curriculum Reform” science education bases, and an extended curriculum teaching practice base for Shanghai science education bases.

As a project unit of Shanghai’s 2004 science popularization initiative, the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine was established by Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine / the Chinese Medical History Museum of the Chinese Medical Association. It consists of the Medical History Museum, the Chinese Herbal Specimen Exhibition Hall, and the University History Exhibition Hall. Construction began in March 2004, trial opening was in December of the same year, and it officially opened to the public in March 2005. It is currently one of China’s more sizable specialized museums of TCM history. Located in the Zhangjiang High-Tech Park in Pudong New Area, eastern Shanghai, it is about 25 kilometers from the city center. Since its official opening, it has received nearly 30,000 visitors annually on average.

The Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the “Herb Garden · Apricot Grove” cover an area of approximately 11,500 m². The Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine itself occupies about 2,200 m². The “Herb Garden · Apricot Grove” covers about 9,300 m², including the “Herb Garden” at about 7,300 m² and the “Apricot Grove” at about 2,000 m² for visitors. The museum building is a three-story single structure with a semi-circular and semi-square design, symbolizing the concept of “the round sky and the square earth.” Its exterior features a modern and stylish look, consistent with the style of the teaching buildings, laboratory buildings, administrative buildings, and library of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The building area is 6,314.12 m². Each exhibition hall is elegant, innovative, and grand, filled with the ambiance of traditional Chinese culture and TCM culture. The first floor is the Comprehensive Medical History Hall, the second floor houses five thematic halls: Health Preservation & Rehabilitation, Acupuncture & Massage, TCM Culture, Herbal Prescriptions, and TCM Science Education, while the third floor contains the University History Exhibition Hall, the Chinese Herbal Specimen Exhibition Hall, and the TCM Science Popularization Activity Room. The total exhibition area is about 3,940 m², including the Comprehensive Medical History Hall at about 1,340 m², the Health Preservation & Rehabilitation Hall, Acupuncture & Massage Hall, TCM Culture Hall, Herbal Prescriptions Hall (all in the same exhibition space without clear separation), and TCM Science Education Hall at about 1,285 m², the Chinese Herbal Specimen Exhibition Hall at about 645 m², and the University History Exhibition Hall at about 670 m².

The museum has a total of 3,164 exhibits, including 1,063 from the Comprehensive Medical History Hall, Health Preservation & Rehabilitation Hall, Acupuncture & Massage Hall, TCM Culture Hall, Herbal Prescriptions Hall, and TCM Science Education Hall; 1,379 medicinal specimen exhibits in the Chinese Herbal Specimen Exhibition Hall; and 722 items (excluding 112 display boards) in the University History Exhibition Hall, comprising 650 images and 72 physical objects.

Important collections include a pentagonal drainage pipe from the Qin Dynasty, Sichuan pepper, grassleaf sweetflag, and cinnamon bark unearthed from the Han Dynasty Mawangdui Tombs, dan pills excavated from the tomb of Wang Danhu, Wang Xizhi’s cousin from the Jin Dynasty, a celadon “four-ear medicine pot” from the Yue Kiln of the Jin Dynasty, agarwood and aquilaria from the Song Dynasty shipwreck in Quanzhou Bay, a bronze bell with Bagua star-moon patterns from the Song Dynasty, a porcelain mortar from the Song Dynasty, a black-glazed porcelain medicine jar labeled “Neifu” (Imperial Household) from the Southern Song Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty woodblock print of the “Bronze Figure Acupuncture Points Chart,” the Ming Dynasty woodblock print of the “Chifengsui” from the Wanli era, a bronze xiezhi incense burner from the Ming Dynasty, an extra-large black-glazed gourd-shaped medicine jar from the Ming Dynasty, a bronze seal inscribed with “Gaoxian Medical Record” from the Ming Dynasty, a gilded bronze statue of Sun Simiao from the Ming Dynasty, the “Bronze Figure Mingtang Chart” from the Ming Dynasty (reprinted in the Lin Qilong system version of 1665, the fourth year of the Kangxi reign), a acupuncture bronze figure cast in the ninth year of the Qianlong reign (1744) and bestowed by Emperor Qianlong upon official Fu Hai who contributed to compiling the “Golden Mirror of Medicine,” the writing desk of Qing Dynasty imperial physician Chen Lianfang, twelve zodiac medicine bottles from the Qing Dynasty, a complete set of woodblocks for the late Qing book “Shibu Zhai Medical Books,” calligraphy and paintings by famous TCM practitioners from the Ming and Qing Dynasties such as Fu Qingzhu, He Hongfang, Yun Tieqiao, and Cao Cangzhou, a Republican-era rosewood medical case box, authentic medical case records by renowned Shanghai doctors of the modern era such as Ding Ganren, Zhang Longpeng (Zhang Xiangyun), Chen Xiaobao, Shi Xiaoshan, Xia Yingtang, and Wang Zhongqi, and the modern famous painter Cheng Shifa’s painting “Visiting the Lakes for Medicinal Herbs.”

The museum’s treasures and some rare items include:

Chen Lianfang’s Inkstone. This inkstone was used by the late Qing Dynasty physician Chen Lianfang for writing books and is a fine example of Duan inkstone. It measures 16 cm in length, 10.8 cm in width, and 2.9 cm in height. The left side of the inkstone lid is inscribed with 11 characters: “Inkstone for Master Lianfang’s Collation of the Su Ling,” with an inscription reading “Early autumn of the Yiyou year in the Guangxu reign (1885), presented by Boqi.” Chen Lianfang, from Qingpu, Jiangsu (now part of Shanghai), came from a family of generations of physicians. He was highly skilled in internal and external medicine, especially in treating complex and difficult diseases, and was known for his meticulous diagnosis and gentle prescriptions. He authored works such as “The Complete Secrets of Gynecology” and “Enlightenment in Medicine.”

“Gaoxian Medical Record” Bronze Seal. The seal measures 8.2 cm in length, 4.2 cm in width, and the knob is 6.7 cm tall. On the back left is inscribed “Gaoxian Medical Record,” and on the right “Made by the Ministry of Rites, 35th Year of Hongwu (1402, i.e., the 4th year of Jianwen).” Gaoxian included parts of today’s Junlian and Gong counties in Sichuan, as well as sections of Gaoxian. This seal served as the official mark of the local medical administration and medical education management institution during the Ming Dynasty.

Openwork Carved Incense Ball. Made of red copper. The incense ball stands 12 cm tall with a belly diameter of 12.8 cm. It is spherical and openwork carved, divided into upper and lower parts that can open and close securely. The inner incense burner maintains balance via a universal ring structure, with two concentric rings in vertical and horizontal directions. The rings have bearings, and within them is a bowl holding aromatic herbs and medicines. No matter how the incense ball rolls, the bowl remains balanced—“though it rolls in all directions, the inside stays level, preventing spills.” It could also be used to disinfect bedding, hence also called a “bedding incense burner.” This incense ball was made during the Ming Dynasty by Qiu Zhushi of Songjiang Prefecture.

Acupuncture Bronze Figure. Made of brass. The figure stands 46 cm tall and depicts a middle-aged woman with a smiling face, long wide ears, and smooth lines. The body is engraved with meridians and acupoints and comes with a box. This bronze figure was specially cast in the ninth year of the Qianlong reign (1744) by Emperor Qianlong to reward officials who participated in compiling the “Golden Mirror of Medicine.” Inside the box is a wooden plaque labeled “Bestowed by the Emperor,” signed by Fuhai, the recording official, who received it on the ninth day of the fourth month of the tenth year of Qianlong’s reign. According to the “Golden Mirror of Medicine,” Fuhai ranked first in the list of recording officials. This bronze figure was purchased in 1944 in Beiping by Ding Jimin of Shanghai from Zhen Sheng, and the seller was Fuhai’s ninth-generation descendant.

Complete Woodblock Plates of “Shibu Zhai Medical Books.” Each plate is 19.2 cm tall, 26 cm wide, and 1 cm thick, totaling 557 plates. “Shibu Zhai Medical Books” was first published in the fifth year of the Tongzhi reign (1866). The main collection includes six medical works authored by Lu Maosheng himself, containing 16 volumes of “Collected Works,” over 120 of Lu’s medical essays, and four corrected medical texts. The museum’s collection of woodblocks was printed in the 12th year of the Guangxu reign (1886) by the Shanzuo Publishing House. Lu Maosheng (1818–1886), styled Jiuzhi and also known as Jiangzuo Xiagong or Linwushanren, was from Yuanhe, Jiangsu (today’s Wuzhong District, Suzhou, Jiangsu). A Qing Dynasty physician, he had a deep understanding of the “Inner Canon” and “Treatise on Cold Damage,” and authored works such as “Shibu Zhai Medical Books” and “Sequel to Shibu Zhai Medical Books.”

Cao Cangzhou’s Self-Commemorative Desk. The desk measures 61.5 cm in length, 75.5 cm in width, and 94.5 cm in height. It was Cao Cangzhou’s study desk, with an inscription on the edge: “Warm breeze warms the distance, bright moon hangs in autumn, timely governance brings peace, eternal life without worry, all virtues gather, all paths lead through, gathering of noble virtue, harmony within, water accumulates and flows, goodness accumulates and rises, divine lingzhi glows, prosperity for generations.” It is signed “Collected by Lanxue Master, inscribed with Su Lingzhi’s calligraphy.” Cao Cangzhou (1850–1924), named Yuanheng, also styled Zhihan, with the late titles Lanxue Laoren and Lansou, was from Wuxian, Jiangsu (today’s Suzhou, Jiangsu). His family practiced both internal and external medicine, but he excelled particularly in internal medicine with many effective treatments. Skilled in treating seasonal illnesses, his methods often followed those of Ye Tianshi. He was summoned to serve as an imperial physician during the Guangxu reign.

Wang Shixiong’s Letter Paper. The paper measures 26 cm in length and 16.3 cm in width. It is a letter from Wang Shixiong to Yin?P, documenting Wang’s travel schedule for medical consultations, corrections to content from the “Hui Xi Yi An,” and suggestions to publish the “Gu Jin Yi An.” Wang Shixiong (1808–1869), styled Mengying, also known as Mengyin and Qianzhai, was from Qiantang (today’s Hangzhou, Zhejiang). A Qing Dynasty expert on warm diseases.

He Hongfang’s Prescription. The prescription measures 23 cm in length and 10.2 cm in width. It bears the red seal “Chonggu Meihualu” (Heavy Antiquity Plum Blossom Studio), with “Meihualu” being the He family’s studio name. He Hongfang (1821–1889), originally named Changzhi, later changed to Changzhi, styled Buzhi, and late titled Hengmao Binghong, was from Qingpu, Jiangsu (today’s Shanghai). A Qing Dynasty physician and the 24th-generation descendant of the famed He family of medicine. Highly skilled and of noble character, he was also talented in poetry and painting, especially calligraphy in the styles of Yan Zhenqing and Li Yong, with upright and vigorous strokes. The prescription was donated by Dr. Jiang Wenxi.

Main short-term special exhibitions organized, hosted, or participated in include: 1) July–August 2003, as a co-organizer in the “Science and Health Together – Series of Science Popularization Activities” hosted by Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, featuring TCM artifacts such as the bronze xiezhi incense burner from the Ming Dynasty and multimedia acupuncture models. 2) October–November 2006, participation in the “Science Grows With Me” Chongming Science Popularization Exhibition organized by the Shanghai Science Education Base Federation and Chongming County Education Bureau, displaying mobile display boards such as “Introduction to Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine,” “Identification of Precious Chinese Herbs,” and “Prevention of Infectious Diseases” at the Chongming Youth Activity Center. 3) March 2007, “Campus Spirit · Science & Technology Wind · National Soul – 2007 Shanghai University Ethnic Culture Museums Joint Exhibition” held at Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, co-hosted by the Shanghai Civilization Committee Office, Municipal Science and Education Party Committee, and Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, and co-organized by Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Exhibits included TCM specimens like polygonum multiflorum, facsimiles of the Jinling edition of “Compendium of Materia Medica,” multimedia acupuncture models, and pulse models. Interactive activities included making Chinese knots for brain exercise and herbal bookmarks. 4) May 2007, participation in Pudong New Area Science and Technology Festival events, including “Health Science Popularization in Communities – Special Session on ‘Promoting the Treasures of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Popularizing TCM Knowledge,’” featuring TCM knowledge display boards and on-site identification of genuine and fake herbs. 5) December 2007 – April 2008, hosting the “‘Angel in a Wheelchair’ – Chen Haixin Photo and Object Exhibition.” The exhibition area covered about 330 m². Display boards included “Chen Haixin’s Chronological Biography,” “Heaven Rewards Diligence,” and “Angel in a Wheelchair,” showcasing photos of “People’s Health Guardian” Chen Haixin, her 1988 Shanghai Higher Education Entrance Examination admission ticket, university textbooks such as “Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine,” her graduation thesis manuscript “Application of Blood Circulation and Stasis Removal in Pediatric Pneumonia,” and her collection of the “Golden Mirror of Medicine.”

The museum places high importance on the collection and acquisition of cultural relics and TCM specimens. The main sources of collections are donations, purchases, allocations, and self-collection/production. For example, in 2007, collector Shao Yunming donated three items including stone mortars and pestles from the late Ming and early Qing periods and a signboard for Li Linzhai’s clinic inscribed by Wu Changshuo, Zheng Jianling donated 116 volumes of Qing Dynasty woodblock prints of “Fu Qingzhu’s Gynecology” and other TCM books, siblings Wu Zhiming donated 41 cultural relics and materials including the Qing Dynasty woodblock print of “Compendium of Materia Medica: Essentials and Origins,” Gu Yulong donated five items including “Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Special School Achievements,” and Chen Haixin’s parents Chen Jieliang and Wu Yinchao donated over 200 items of Chen Haixin’s materials.

The main categories of collections are ceramics, stone and jade, metalware, paper-based items, and bamboo, wood, bone, and ivory products. The Chinese Herbal Specimen Exhibition Hall mainly houses plant, animal, fungal, and mineral medicine specimens, prepared Chinese medicines, and herbal slices. The Medical History Museum holds over 15,000 TCM cultural relics from the Neolithic Age to the modern era, over 6,000 ancient and modern medical texts, and over 3,000 volumes/issues of medical journals and newspapers. The Chinese Herbal Specimen Exhibition Hall holds over 3,000 TCM specimens and prepared medicines. The University History Exhibition Hall holds 2,316 physical and pictorial items related to university history.

Collection protection measures strictly follow the “Cultural Relics Protection Law” and establish, improve, and implement the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s “Trial Cultural Relics Storage Management System” and “Trial Emergency Response Plan for Safety Accidents.” Cultural relic management is handled by dedicated staff in the Collection Storage Department. The cultural relic storage implements a dual-lock, dual-person entry and exit system, with other personnel requiring approval and registration for access. Chinese herbal specimens are regularly inspected by specialists. The cultural relic storage is equipped with central air conditioning, a heptafluoropropane automatic fire suppression system (smoke-actuated), and sprinkler fire protection equipment. Surveillance cameras and infrared sensors are installed and connected to the security office. Furniture in the storage is custom-made to meet conservation requirements, with protective cases for ceramic and jade artifacts, UV-blocking curtains, dehumidifiers, and hygrothermographs. A constant temperature and humidity system has been established to maintain suitable conditions in exhibition halls and storage. Two security personnel are on 24-hour duty, working in shifts of two.

In March 2000, the People’s Medical Publishing House published “A General History of Chinese Medicine: Volume on Cultural Relics and Illustrations,” edited by Professor Fu Weikang and others. Research achievements include: 1) “Illustrated Collection of Chinese Medical Cultural Relics,” edited by Wu Hongzhou et al., which won the Second Prize of the Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Award in 2003 and the Third Prize of the Fourth Humanities and Social Sciences Achievement Award by the Ministry of Education in 2006. 2) In November 2005, the project “Collection, Research, and Protection of Key National Medical and Health Cultural Relics,” led by the Institute of Medical History and Literature of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and with the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine as the second responsible unit, won the Second Prize of the Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Award.

The museum offers science popularization lectures for communities and enterprises on topics such as “TCM Health Preservation Knowledge,” “Winter Health Care,” “Common Infectious Diseases and TCM Prevention,” “Chinese Herbal Identification,” “Introduction to Common Herbal Medicines,” and “Dietotherapy and Health.”

Strengthening inter-museum cooperation. On August 24, 2005, 65 members of the Shanghai Cultural Relics Society visited the museum under the organization of the Shanghai Cultural Relics Management Committee. On September 1 of the same year, all party members visited the former residence of Zhang Wentian. On December 31, all staff studied and visited the Songhu Anti-Japanese War Memorial and the Chen Huacheng Memorial. On June 26, 2006, all staff studied and visited the Shanghai Public Security Museum.

Academic exchange activities include: 1) September 2005, participation in the “Shanghai Science Education Base Enhancement Seminar,” delivering a speech titled “On the Design Philosophy and Display Effect of the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine.” 2) November 2005, the Eighth National University Museum Academic Symposium. Wu Hongzhou, newly elected Director of the Chinese University Museums Professional Committee and Director of the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivered the opening remarks and a keynote speech titled “Stepping Out of Campus, Facing Society – the Development Direction of University Museums.” Both speeches were included in the “Proceedings of the Eighth National University Museum Academic Symposium.” 3) August 2007, the Ninth National University Museum Academic Symposium. Wu Hongzhou, re-elected Director of the Chinese University Museums Professional Committee and Director of the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, gave a keynote report titled “Reflections on Joint Exhibitions of Shanghai University Museums.” 4) December 2007, participation in the Second Shanghai Science Popularization Venue and Third Industry Museum Symposium, delivering a speech titled “Reflections and Inspirations from Joint Exhibitions of Shanghai University Museums” and submitting a written presentation on “Application of Multimedia Technology in TCM Museum Exhibitions.” 5) October 2004, at the Eighth National Conference on Chinese Herbal Specimen Museums and Fourth National Teaching Symposium on Herbal Identification by TCM Colleges, three papers including “Reconfiguration and Discussion on Exhibition Methods for Chinese Herbal Specimen Museum Displays” were submitted for written exchange. 6) July 2006, at the Ninth National Conference on Chinese Herbal Specimen Museums, three papers including “Thoughts and Prospective Analysis on Multimedia Projects in TCM Museums” were submitted for written exchange. 7) November 2003, at the Eighth National University History Symposium, sharing “On the Spirits of Cheng Menxue and Huang Wendong.” 8) May 2006, at the Ninth National University History Symposium, sharing “School Motto Culture and University History Research.”

The museum is a public institution. It has an office and four departments: Collection Storage, Exhibition, Science Popularization, and Party History & University History. The personnel structure in terms of expertise and age is relatively balanced. There is 1 management staff member, accounting for 6.66% of the total. There are 14 professional and technical staff, making up 93.34% of the total, including 4 senior professionals (26.66%). All staff hold college degrees or higher (100%). There is 1 Ph.D. (6.66% of professionals), 2 master’s degree holders (13.33%). Five staff are under 30, four between 30–50, and six between 50–60.

Services and facilities for visitors include a “Multilingual (Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean) Guided Tour System” and a “Multimedia Dynamic Demonstration System” (featuring introductions to the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, prescription appreciation, acupuncture evolution, marine medicinal resources, genuine vs. fake precious herb identification, and quiz games). Activities include identifying, collecting, and appreciating common medicinal plants. Educational programs for youth include fun herbal specimen activities, brain-teasing Chinese knot and phone charm crafting, herbal bookmark making, “fruit specimen giveaways,” “flower and leaf scent identification,” “dried flower and grass aromatherapy ornaments,” and “TCM cuisine tasting.” The museum hosts various TCM health and herbal identification lectures. The service department sells souvenirs, TCM books, acupuncture instruments, and models.

Address of Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine: 1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai (within Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine). Postal code: 201203.

Public transport: Route 1, take Daqiao Route 6 or Daqiao Route 5 to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Station (West Gate). Route 2, take Metro Line 2 to Zhangjiang Station, then transfer to Daqiao Route 6 or Daqiao Route 5 to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Station (West Gate). Route 3, take Tangchuan Line to Zhangjiang Station, then transfer to Zhangnan Line or Zhangchuan Line to Keyuan Road Station, enter via the West Gate of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Route 4, take Xuchuan Line or Shenjiang Line to Diaoyuqiao Station (Jinke Road), enter via the East Gate of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Route 5, take Bus 609 to Cailun Road Huatuo Road Station (South Gate of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine).

Contact numbers: 51322710, 51322712, 51322721. Fax: 51322712.

Email: shtcm＠163.com.

Website: www.shtcmm.com.

Opening hours: 9:00–16:00 (closed on Mondays. Open as usual on Mondays during National Day and Spring Festival holidays).

Admission fees: Individual ticket is 15 RMB per person; group tickets (for groups of 10 or more, reservation required 2–3 days in advance) are 12 RMB or 10 RMB per person. Free or discounted entry applies to: 1) Retired cadres, active-duty military personnel, people with disabilities, and local residents aged 70 or above (inclusive), who may enter free of charge upon presenting valid ID; 2) Adults may bring one child under 18 for free; 3) Youth groups receive a 30% discount, other groups receive a 20% discount; 4) Free admission on International Museum Day, Chinese Cultural Heritage Day, and the second Saturday of each month; 5) Free admission month is from May 15 to June 15 each year; 6) One free admission month is offered for youths every summer vacation (totaling over 70 free admission days per year).