During my recent trip to Hangzhou, I had the opportunity to visit the renowned Hu Qing Yu Tang First Clinic, one of the most famous Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) clinics in Hangzhou, China, for authentic traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment.
This article shares my personal experience seeking Chinese Herbal Medicine and acupuncture treatment for skin allergies, seasonal allergies, and sports injuries. I wholeheartedly recommend this clinic to international travelers interested in trying authentic Chinese herbal treatments. Next time when you plan your signt-seeing tour in China, save some time and try Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) during your travel. You may jsut discover a new approach to cure your long-lingering health issues during your travels.
Discovering Hu Qing Yu Tang First Clinic in Hangzhou
I chose Hu Qing Yu Tang in Hangzhou because it is the largest and most recognized traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic in Hangzhou. Previously, I visited Tongrentang, a well-known TCM clinic in Beijing, and noticed its popularity among local elderly and middle-aged residents, along with an excellent reputation within the community. Additionally, Tongrentang is covered by local government medical insurance. From my past experience, whenever I travel to a new city and need to choose a local seller or service provider, pick a service that local resident choose and trust, most of the time I will get decent quality of service with a very good price. Huqingyutang has been operated in Hangzhou and proved trusted by local residents for many years, that’s the primary reason why I choose them.
Hu Qing Yu Tang boasts a history of over 140 years in Hangzhou and has grown to include four TCM outpatient departments and three TCM clinics. With more than 180 full-time TCM doctors, it offers a wide range of medical services, including various TCM treatments and acupuncture. The clinic also provides convenient services for local residents, such as herbal medicine decoction, evening clinics, home delivery of medicine, and herbal powder preparation. These amenities make it a dependable and accessible choice for both locals and visitors seeking traditional Chinese medicine.
Book Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatment in Hangzhou
In many Chinese cities, both TCM clinics and Western medical hospitals offer online appointment booking through the WeChat app. To use this service, you’ll need a Chinese mobile number to register and log in, or you can opt for a walk-in for a same-day appointment.
It’s recommended to book your appointment a few days or even a week in advance, either by asking a Chinese-speaking friend or hiring a trip planner to help with the arrangements. Due to China’s large population, leading TCM doctors are often fully booked during peak times, especially if you’re seeking a specialist on a specific day.
You can choose a doctor who specializes in the condition you wish to treat. With some free time on Sunday and living near West Lake, I found it convenient to visit the First Outpatient Department of Hu Qingyu Tang, located by the lake.
After reviewing the profiles of the Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors available for Sunday, I chose Dr. Chen Xiaofang. As a fourth-generation successor in the Chen family acupuncture tradition and a TCM expert, she specializes in treating skin allergies and sports injuries to the waist and legs, which are my primary concerns. She also specializes in digestive disorders, gastroenteritis, skin diseases, endocrine imbalances, and shoulder, neck, lower back, and leg conditions. There are at least 15 different TCM doctors availiable on the same day at this clinic, each specializing in different symptoms and diseases, bookable by online appointment.
There are four additional clinic locations in different regions of Hangzhou city, all operated under the Huqingyu TCM clinic.
My Personal Journey: Seeking Treatment for Skin Allergies and Sports Injuries in the United States and China
Over the years, I’ve experienced skin allergy symptoms linked to stress and depression. I’m also allergic to seasonal pollen, mold, animal hair, and certain insects, which cause itchy eyes. These symptoms are less severe with regular exercise but worsen under stress or unhealthy lifestyle.
I completed four years of allergen injection treatment at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago and the Stanford Medical Clinic in the Bay Area, California, but observed minimal improvement. Two years ago, I consulted a TCM doctor at Beijing Tong Ren Tang and began taking herbal medicine. This treatment greatly improved my condition, with my skin issues and allergies mostly resolved for a year and a half. However, they resurfaced after I was laid off last July, leading to increased stress during my job search in a challenging market.
This year, I aim to find some of the best TCM clinic in Hangzhou for my treatment. Last year, I hurt the ligaments in my right foot playing volleyball, causing a third-degree sprain. Even after months of rest, my right ankle still gets injured easily, is less flexible, and has weaker muscles, affecting my sports performance. I’ve seen doctors and physical therapists in the San Francisco Bay Area and tried strength training at home for my sport injury, despite the expensive healthcare cost in California, my ankle is still weak. Now in Hangzhou, I’m keen to see if TCM doctors can help improve my ankle.
Huqingyu TCM Visit: Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, and Moxibustion
I took the subway and walked to the clinic. Hu Qingyu Tang’s First Outpatient Department is big, with many buildings. Even though I speak Mandarin, I had to ask doctors and nurses for directions because the signs are confusing, especially for newcomers. I had a screenshot of my Sunday morning appointment saved on my phone.
On the first floor, there’s a ticket machine. I tried to check in with my ID. But since I just got back to China and only paid for a month of medical insurance, the staff said the system would recognize me after three months. So, I went to the second floor for manual registration and was told I’d need to pay myself this time. I went to the payment counter there for manual check-in. After checking in, I got a paper with my appointment details and the room number. The staff showed me where Dr. Chen’s Room 8 was. The second floor has many treatment rooms, each with a doctor’s photo and room number. I found Room 8 quickly.
I met Dr. Chen and her assistant. She was kind and asked about my health history and symptoms. She checked my pulse and looked at my tongue. I talked about my experiences with Western medicine in the U.S. and my treatment at Beijing Tong Ren Tang two years ago. I also brought my old herbal prescription from Tong Ren Tang. I mentioned my ankle sprain from last year. She listened carefully and prescribed new herbal medicine for my skin allergies. She also suggested acupuncture and moxibustion for my ankle. She sent me to the payment counter on the 2nd floor. I paid there and gave my address for them to send the prescripted herbal medicine they would make.
Fifteen minutes later, I went back to Dr. Chen’s office holding the receipt. Dr. Chen and her assistant showed me through an acupuncture and moxibustion session on their special treatment bed. Her office has two rooms, each with four beds. I lay down on one of the beds, surrounded by privacy curtains.
Dr. Chen carefully checked where my ankle was hurt and the angle of the injury. She found the right acupuncture points on my right foot and put in six needles, adding burning moxa on top. It was my first time with acupuncture, and I was nervous about the needles, but it hurt less than I thought. I only felt a little pain and a slight sensation as they went in. Dr. Chen and her assistant made sure I was comfortable on a cushion and asked me to lie on the bed for about 45 minutes. They replaced the moxibustion twice to finish the treatment. During this time, I felt a gentle warmth, and it seemed like the heat spread a bit through the needles into my feet.
I felt slight discomfort at the acupuncture points when the moxa was changed, mainly because I could feel the needles when touched, but it was manageable. Once the needles were out, the assistant quickly stopped minor bleeding with a cotton ball. There was very little blood. The treatment ended, and I was told I didn’t need extra rest; I could walk and travel normally afterward. During my walk and subway ride home, I noticed my right foot felt more flexible, free from the stiffness of the past few months. I plan to keep an eye on it.
One downside was the strong smoke from the moxibustion. Even with air-conditioning, the smoke was intense, and the burnt moxa smell lingered in my hair for hours. However, if it helps heal my foot injury and lets me play volleyball again, enduring 45 minutes of smoke is worth it. Next time, I’ll bring a light fabric hair cover or coat cover.
I was observing my treated ankle closely for monthes after the acupuncture and Moxibustion treatment. I noticed that one month after experiencing acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, my ankle has become more flexible. Previously, the area where I had sprained my ankle would feel stiff and blocked, especially in cold icy rain weather, but now it feels significantly stronger and more flexible. I believe that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy can enhance blood circulation, re-stimulate incompletely recovered muscles and cartilage tissues, accelerate injury repair, improve the local micro-environment, and promote tissue regeneration. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatments work by activating the self-healing ability of the injured area, allowing the old ankle injury to heal itself again. I personally think it is much more effective than RICE or draw alphabic with my feet in curing sport injury.
How Much Does Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Cost in Hangzhou
I spent CNY 510.71 (about USD 75) for the doctor’s visit, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion all included.Acupuncture needle cost CNY 97, moxibustion cost CNY 144, TCM Doctor’s visit (regular doctor not specialist) cost CNY 10, prescripted Chinese Herbal Medicine cost about CNY 200, herbal medicine brew service labor fee cost CNY 14, herbal medicine home delivery fee fost CNY 10.
Hangzhou residents with health insurance for over three months get a 30% discount and can use their healthcare account balance (similar to an HSA in the USA) to pay the rest. All foreigners need to pay out of pocket. Considering Hangzhou’s cost of living, this fee seems fair.
Huqingyu is the biggest and most respected TCM clinic in Hangzhou, likely making it pricier. Lesser-known clinics might charge about 20% less, especially if you buy your own herbal medicine. I suggest choosing well-known, government-regulated TCM clinic chains over private ones, especially if you’re new to the city and want to avoid unreliable providers. Here, you get quality treatment and value for your money.
In 2020, my visit to Beijing Tong Ren Tang cost CNY 1200 (around USD 180) just for the visit and herbal medicine, without acupuncture and moxibustion. Huqingyu Tang’s treatment is quite affordable.
I visited on February 17th, 2025, right after the spring festival, which might explain the lack of patients and no waiting lines. Popular doctors might have limited slots daily. Visiting the TCM clinic in the morning is usually the least crowded time.
Herbal Medicine Prescription Delivery
For prescribed herbal medicine, you can pick it up from Hu Qingyu Tang or any TCM pharmacy you prefer. They also provide a delivery service for home brewing, which often works better. Brewing the herbs yourself allows for longer soaking and multiple brews, making them stronger.
Due to my busy schedule in Hangzhou and limited kitchen space, I chose Hu Qing Yu Tang’s herbal preparation and delivery service. They prepare the herbal liquid based on the doctor’s prescription, brew and package it into daily doses in sealed plastic bags, and keep it refrigerated. I only need to take one pack a day and heat it in the microwave, saving me the hassle of brewing the herbs myself. This herbal medicine preparation and delivery service is free at Hu Qing Yu Tang. I got my herbal medicine delivered to my door the morning after my visit.
Below is one pack of herbal medicine brew with my name on it. It contains about 200ml of liquid and should be refrigerated or kept in a dark, cool place. I received 14 of these after my visit, and I am supposed to pour the liquid into a microwavable container, heat it in the microwave, and drink two packs per day, once after lunch and dinner.
If you’re visiting Hangzhou for Hu Qingyu Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine treatment, plan to stay over 7 days and book an hotel with a mini fridge. You’ll need half a day for the doctor, and typically, you’ll receive a 7-day herbal medicine prescription. The treatment and medicine duration vary based on your health issue.
If you’re traveling internationally with herbal medicine, translate the prescription to English and declare the herbs at customs. I’ve traveled to the United States with packed herbs in checked luggage without issues. Alternatively, have the 7-day herbal medicine delivered to your hotel and keep it refrigerated, so you can complete the treatment while exploring Hangzhou and nearby areas.
In my experience, TCM medicine helps balance your body’s internal state. After a week of prescribed herbal medicine from Tong Ren Tang Beijing, I saw a 70% improvement in my skin allergy within two weeks and an additional 20%-30% improvement in the next three to four months. I’m not a TCM expert, but I believe the herbal medicine continues to adjust and balance the body over a few months. I’ll keep observing if the Hu Qingyu Hangzhou TCM treatment works similarly.
This clinic is a traditional facility for locals, not a luxurious private clinic. It has clean but worn bed sheets with occasional burn marks from moxibustion, and many doctors work in older buildings with slightly peeling paint. This differs from clinics in the United States, which have spotless tables and sheets. Nonetheless, the TCM doctors are very experienced, and many locals trust this clinic for reliable and effective treatments, which matters most to me.
I’ll keep an eye on my right ankle and any changes in my allergy with this treatment. I’ll continue sharing my TCM experiences. I hope this post helps anyone thinking about visiting a TCM doctor in Hangzhou, China.
Name of clinic: Huqingyu Tangming Medical Clinic 1st Clinic
Google Map Address: 11 Anrong Ln, 清河坊 Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310002
Chinese address: 胡庆余堂名医馆第一门诊部， 上城区清波街道安荣巷11号（吴山广场地铁D口步行370米）
Operation Hours：Monday to Sunday from 8:00am to 4:30pm
Enhance Your Trip with a Travel Booking Translator
Many travelers face challenges when visiting Mandarin-speaking TCM doctors or finding reliable TCM clinics. To assist, I offer a English medical consultation booking and interpreter service. If you need help booking TCM doctors, I provide trip consultation and interpreter services to find the best TCM doctor for you during your travels. Want to learn about TCM retreats for international visitors in Hangzhou? Contact my team for a free consultation. We answer questions such as how to find TCM doctors in Hangzhou and offer guidence for navigating Traditional Chinese medicine clinics in Hangzhou.
Hotel Recommendation by West Lake
The West Lake State Guest House is surrounded by the natural splendor of West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel’s expansive gardens, dotted with traditional pavilions, ancient trees, and shimmering ponds, provide a picturesque backdrop for relaxation. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the lake and its famous landmarks, such as the Leifeng Pagoda and Su Causeway, right from the comfort of their rooms or while strolling through the property.
Strategically located in the heart of Hangzhou, the West Lake State Guest House offers unparalleled access to the city’s top attractions. It is just a short walk from the West Lake Scenic Area, where visitors can explore historic temples, take a leisurely boat ride, or cycle along the lake’s scenic paths. The hotel is also within easy reach of Downtown Hangzhou, making it a perfect base for both leisure and business travelers.
Safe travels and happy healing!
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