Hu Qingyu Tang Museum

Hu Qingyu Tang Museum

The Hu Qingyu Tang Museum is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Hangzhou Hu Qingyu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, renowned as “Hu Qingyu Tang in the south and Tong Ren Tang in the north,” was established in 1874 during the 13th year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty. The museum is a specialized institution in China, situated on Dajing Lane in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It was founded in October 1989 to commemorate the 115th anniversary of the Hu Qingyu Tang Pharmaceutical Factory, now a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Covering an area of 2,700 square meters, it opened to the public in 1991.

At the northern foot of the picturesque Wu Hill in Hangzhou lies an imposing and resplendent complex of ancient buildings — the world-famous “King of Medicine in the South,” Hu Qingyu Tang Chinese Pharmacy. Founded in 1874 by the prominent late-Qing red-topped businessman Hu Xueyan, Hu Qingyu Tang was built with the craftsmanship of master builders, drawing inspiration from the style of Jiangnan gardens, at a cost of 300,000 taels of silver. Based on the prescriptions from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Peaceful Benevolent Dispensary Formulary) of the Southern Song Dynasty and incorporating numerous traditional prescriptions from famous physicians, Hu Qingyu Tang meticulously prepared various pills, powders, ointments, and elixirs. Its remedies were known for their efficacy in healing and promoting well-being, earning it the title “King of Medicine in the South.”

Hu Qingyu Tang aims to inherit the pharmaceutical standards set forth in the first officially mandated pharmacopoeia of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang, and has gradually developed its own unique system of traditional Chinese medicine. In 1934, the compilation "Concise Collection of Hu Qingyu Tang Pills and Powders" was published, featuring 482 proprietary prescriptions, dozens of which bore the “Hu” family name. Examples include: Hu’s Secret Formula for Yihuan Powder, Hu’s Secret Formula for Zhencan Powder, Hu’s Life-Saving Pill for Shaqi (Heatstroke), and Hu’s Miraculous Ruyi Baohe Pills. Hu Qingyu Tang also exhibits distinctive techniques in pharmaceutical production, such as preparing epidemic-preventing pills after ritual purification, crafting Zixue Pills in a golden shovel and silver cauldron, grinding Longhu Pills while chanting incantations in a sealed room, and hanging wax casings. These traditional skills have been passed down through generations of skilled pharmaceutical artisans within the unique environment of Hu Qingyu Tang.

In 1987, Hu Qingyu Tang established China’s first traditional Chinese medicine-themed museum within its ancient architectural complex. Relying on the original architecture of Hu Qingyu Tang, and adhering to the principles of “in-situ preservation” and “original display,” the museum is divided into five major sections: the origins of traditional Chinese medicine, exhibition displays, handmade workshops, a business hall, and health consultation and treatment services. It showcases a vast array of traditional Chinese pharmaceutical tools, along with tens of thousands of specimens of medicinal plants, animals, and minerals. Among the treasures on display are medicinal materials unearthed from the Hemudu Culture dating back 7,000 years, the Western Han Dynasty’s Mawangdui Tombs in Changsha, and a shipwreck in Quanzhou Bay from the Song Dynasty.

In 1988, “Hu Qingyu Tang” was listed by the State Council as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, covering an area of 2,700 square meters, and opened to the public in 1991.

In 2002, “Hu Qingyu Tang” was honored as a China Well-Known Trademark.

In 2003, “Hu Qingyu Tang” was recognized as Zhejiang Province’s First Batch of Famous Business Names.

In 2006, “Hu Qingyu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture” was included in the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Projects. In the same year, “Hu Qingyu Tang” was re-certified as a “Time-Honored Chinese Brand” by the Ministry of Commerce.

From its inception, Hu Xueyan inscribed the four characters “是乃仁术” (This is the Art of Benevolence) above the entrance of the main hall. Hanging prominently inside the hall is the golden plaque reading “真不二价” (True Price, No Deception), but what most embodies the integrity and values of Hu Qingyu Tang is the “戒欺” (Abstain from Deceit) scroll still displayed on the inner wall of the shop — measuring 3 meters in height and 0.9 meters in width. It states: “In all trade, the character 欺 (deceit) must not be tolerated; in the pharmaceutical trade, which concerns life and death, deceit is utterly impermissible…” Emphasizing the procurement of genuine ingredients and the refinement of preparation processes… This reflects the professional ethics and unwavering commitment to quality upheld by the people of Hu Qingyu Tang. The specially crafted golden shovel and silver cauldron used by Hu Xueyan himself to ensure the quality of the emergency medicine “Zixue Dan” are preserved intact to this day, serving as both testament and treasured relics in the pharmaceutical industry.

Rooted in integrity, Hu Qingyu Tang flourished over the centuries. Especially in recent decades, riding the waves of the market economy, the pharmacy has demonstrated visionary leadership, embraced reform, championed science, and pursued continuous innovation, resulting in tremendous transformation. Led by its flagship product Weifuchun Tablets, a host of high-tech products such as Qingjiu Rescue Pills, Zhangyi Powder, Pediatric Diarrhea Relief Granules, and Jinguo Throat Lozenges have emerged, building upon the foundation of traditional Chinese medical theory. The adoption of new equipment and technologies in production — including spray preparations, film coating, high-performance liquid chromatography, and thin-layer scanning instruments — along with the implementation of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards, has ensured greater reliability in drug quality. The new factory site relocated to Hanghai Road in 1996 features GMP-compliant facilities nestled within lush green lawns. The clean pathways and the orderly work of employees inside the buildings present a thriving scene. The historic architectural complex of the old factory at the foot of Wu Hill has been transformed into China’s first traditional Chinese medicine museum and a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Recently renovated, it shines even more brilliantly, attracting a large number of domestic and international visitors with its rich traditional Chinese medicine culture and exquisite architecture. Many national leaders have also visited and left encouraging inscriptions.

The ancient architecture of Hu Qingyu Tang draws on the strengths of many styles. The Hu Qingyu Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum is located on Dajing Lane at the foot of Wu Hill. It is a garden-style pharmacy founded in the fourth year of the Guangxu reign (1878) during the Qing Dynasty by the red-topped businessman Hu Xueyan. The architecture is typical of the Qing Dynasty style — classic, elegant, and resplendent. It integrates the essence of various pharmacies and combines features of Jiangnan residential gardens, constructed using premium woods such as ironwood, ginkgo, and camphor. The ancient buildings cover eight mu (approximately 1.3 acres) with a total floor area of 4,000 square meters, divided into three courtyards in a “front shop, back factory” layout. The entire complex is surrounded by 12-meter-high “Shennong-style” firewalls, each inscribed with the seven large characters “胡庆余堂国药号” (Hu Qingyu Tang Chinese Pharmacy), each character spanning a 20-square-meter area. These inscriptions highlight the grandeur, solemnity, mystery, and vitality of the late Qing-era structure. The entire architectural form resembles a crane perched at the foot of Wu Hill, symbolizing longevity. It is a late Qing wooden structure that harmoniously blends commercial practicality with artistic appreciation. In 1988, it was designated by the State Council as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. It is China’s only national-level specialized museum of traditional Chinese medicine, celebrated as a “magical hall of science and splendid culture of pharmacy.”

The entire museum is divided into five sections:

The first section is the exhibition hall, introducing notable figures in Chinese medical history, the origins of medicine, the development of pharmacology, international exchanges in medicine, and the status and contributions of Zhejiang Province in the advancement of Chinese pharmacy.

The second section is the traditional Chinese medicine workshop and interactive room, where veteran pharmacists demonstrate traditional pharmaceutical techniques, and visitors can try their hand at making medicine to experience the joy of the craft.

The third section is the Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Clinic.

The fourth section is the Medicinal Cuisine Dining Hall.

The fifth section is the retail pharmacy. Visitors can not only admire the exhibits but also try operating traditional pharmaceutical tools in the “interactive room.” They can also consult famous doctors, purchase high-quality traditional Chinese patent medicines, and sample medicinal cuisine known for its health benefits, disease prevention, and longevity-enhancing properties.

Among the exhibits are precious medicinal relics unearthed from the Mawangdui Tombs in Changsha, Hunan; the Hemudu Site in Yuyao, Zhejiang; the Liangzhu Culture in Zhejiang; and a Song Dynasty shipwreck in Quanzhou, Fujian. There are also century-old pharmaceutical tools such as wood presses, copper mortars, large stone mortars, porcelain mortars, and scales. Displayed vessels include a Han Dynasty bronze stove with beast-mask patterns, Ming Dynasty Xuande incense burners, Qing Dynasty ceramics, and tin containers. Additionally, there is the pharmacy’s prized golden shovel and silver cauldron, meticulously crafted for quality assurance, as well as the “戒欺匾” (Abstain from Deceit Plaque) established by the founder at the pharmacy’s inception.

The museum displays exhibits including "The History of Traditional Chinese Medicine Development in China," "The History of Hu Qingyu Tang Development," and "Specimens of Chinese Herbal Medicines and Patent Medicines."

To provide an intuitive understanding of pharmaceutical production a century ago, a simulated traditional Chinese medicine workshop has been specially created, where demonstrations and hands-on experiences are offered for visitors.

Further Reading:

· China National Second-Class Museum

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units