Hu Qing Yu Pharmacy (Hu Qing Yu Tang) in Hangzhou

Hu Qing Yu Pharmacy (Hu Qing Yu Tang) in Hangzhou

Hu Qing Yu Tang, founded in 1874 by Hu Xueyan, is a traditional pharmacy reputed as “Medicine King in the South of Yangtze River” and as well known as Tongrentang in Beijing. It is like a living classroom of traditional Chinese medicine to both have a good understanding about Chinese medicine and appreciate the hundred-year-old exquisite architecture.
English Name: Hu Qing Yu Pharmacy (Hu Qing Yu Tang) in Hangzhou
Chinese Name: 杭州胡庆余堂
Opening Hours: 08:30-17:00 for the museum
Admission Fee: RMB 10/person (ticket for the museum)
Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 or 2 hours
Season: All year round
Address:95 Dajing Alley, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

 

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Hu Qing Yu Pharmacy

Hu Qingyu Tang (simplified Chinese: 胡庆余堂; traditional Chinese: 胡慶余堂; pinyin: Hú Qìngyú Táng) is a historically significant Chinese pharmaceutical company. It is as well known as a Tongrentang in Beijing.

Introduction of Hu Qing Yu Pharmacy

History

It was initially founded by Hu Xueyan who was a successful businessman and a high-ranking official in the Qing imperial court. Starting business in 1874 during the reign of Emperor Guangxu, Hu Qing Yu Tang is still open today, and known as “King of Medicine” in South China. Ever since its opening, Hu Qing Yu Tang has inherited the pharmaceutical techniques and industry standards of Song Dynasty (960 – 1279). Rather than a pharmacy, it is more like a museum of traditional Chinese medicine, with aged talented pharmaceutical artisans, many ancient prescriptions and secret prescriptions, and treasures of Chinese medicine.  
Hu Qing Yu Chinese Pharmacy was established by Hu Xueyan in 1874 which is located in Qinghe Lane in Hangzhou. Since the founding of the capital Linan in Southern Song Dynasty to Ming and Qing Dynasties, there was a pharmacy lane in the Qinghe Lane that included Baohe Pharmacy in Southern Song Dynasty, Zhu Yangxin Plaster Drugstore in Ming Dynasty, Ye Zhongde Pharmacy and Huichui Pharmacy in late Qing Dynasty. Hu Qing Yu Chinese Pharmacy later inherited the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji JU Fang pharmacy technology and codes of practice prescribed by the officer in the Southern Song Dynasty. To some degree, Hangzhou is the origin of ancient Chinese medicine pharmacopeia and Hu Qing Yu Chinese Pharmacy abided by this good tradition.

Know Deep about Hu Xueyan

Hu Xueyan (胡雪岩, 1823~1885), also known as Hu Guangyong, was a notable red-topped hat businessman in China during the late Qing Dynasty.

Born in 1823 in Jixi County, Anhui Province, and he moved to Hangzhou when he was 14 years old. In the beginning, he was apprenticed to a private bank which would later become the foundation of his Fukang Bank. In his life, he was active in banking, Chinese medicine, shipping, and real estate. Hu Xueyan is most notable for being the only person of the merchant class in the Qing Dynasty to be awarded a red-topped hat, a rank indicating an officer of second grade. Though he finally filed for bankruptcy in 1884, his best-known contribution that still stands to this day is the medicinal hall – Hu Qing Yu Tang which he insisted on uncompromising quality in medicine, ethical treatment of customers and cheap healthcare. Hu died of depression at the age of 62.

Antique Architecture

The shape of Hu Qing Yu Tang is like a crane perched at the foot of Wushan Hill which means “longevity”. While, the pharmacy is the well-preserved late Qing Dynasty architectural complex which is in the style of Hui. The hall of the pharmacy is grand and elegant built with camphor wood decorated with exquisite carvings. The painting of Hu Xue Yan is hanging in the middle of the hall with couplet on both sides. The whole building gives you a sense of calmness, mystery and spirituality.

Five Main Parts of The Museum

Five main parts make up the museums 4,000 square meters of building – the “Exhibition Hall” introduces you to the history and development of Chinese medicine and words from famous old doctors. Step into the “Chinese Health Care Clinic” and experienced doctors can offer you their expert traditional Chinese care. In the “Medicine Preparation Hall,” you can watch the traditional art of pill making and cutting medicines and you even try it yourself. The “Restaurant of Medicinal Diet” offers you lots of medicinal diets that are good for your health while tasting good. Finally, in the “Sales Department” you can buy medicine made in the museum’s own factory or medicines brought in from famous shops around China.

A selection of displays show the history of traditional Chinese medicine and hold samples of medicines discovered from ancient times, while there is a lot of literature available for those interested. The museum is also noted for the classic architecture of the restored Hu Qing Yu Tang pharmacy.

How to Get There

Independent travel

Take bus no. Y8, Y10, 13/K13, 25, 35, 51 (Inner Line), 71/K71, 87/K87, 108, 187, 212, 327 or 992, and get off at Wushan Station. Then walk toward east along Hefang Pedestrian Street around 601 yards (550 meters), and then you’ll find the museum.

Travel with China Dragon Tour(Top Recommended)

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can take a private tour package that covers sightseeing, night shows and activities, dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Hu Qing Yu Tang and West Lake with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing.

Useful Travel Tips

  • Around this pharmacy museum, a couple of other old brand stores, restaurants, souvenir shops and hotels in Hangzhou’s Qing He Fang Street can be found and contribute to an easy tour combination.
  • Hu Qing Yu Pharmacy Located beside West Lake, at the foot of Wu Mountain, so you can also visit the two places.
  • Hu Qing Yu Chinese Pharmacy preserves many traditional commercial and business customs.
  • In the pharmacy, Hu Qing Yu Qing offers every customer to enjoy seasonal healthy herb tea for free. You can get it with plastic cup they provided and enjoy it on the bench.

Nearby Attractions

Edited by  Lynette Fu/付云锐