中医

Why this place

Traditional Chinese medicine is a complete medical system with its own theory — qi, meridians, yin and yang — and its own enormous pharmacopoeia of herbs. It is practised in hospitals alongside modern medicine in China, and the herbal markets and acupuncture clinics are open to visitors.

What to see

• Bozhou's herbal market in Anhui, the largest in China
• Yulin's medicine market in Guangxi, and Kunming's herbal markets
• A TCM hospital's pharmacy, where prescriptions are assembled by hand from drawers of herbs
• Acupuncture and tuina clinics, which are widely available and affordable
• The Zhang Zhongjing and Li Shizhen memorials, for the tradition's history

What to eat

• Medicinal cuisine (yaoshan) — food cooked with herbs, common in Guangdong and Anhui
• Herbal teas and the 'cooling' drinks sold at every street corner in the south

How to plan

Half a day at a herbal market, ideally with someone who can explain what you are looking at.

Best time

Any time

Practical tips

• Herbal medicines can interact with prescription drugs — consult a qualified practitioner rather than self-prescribing