Chinese Herbal Medicine Shop in Weishan, Yunnan
China still maintains a strong tradition of using natural medicines, specifically herbs with medicinal properties that have been used for centuries. In addition to being present in the composition of many modern medications, some herbalists continue their traditional trade. Even in large cities, it is not uncommon to occasionally find herbalists selling fifteen or twenty products in their small stall or shop, each stored in a plastic bag. Usually, these products do not have labels, meaning that only an expert knows exactly what each medicine is.
Herbal medicine shop
In this shop, located in the ancient city of Weishan in Yunnan province, we find what could be described as the pinnacle of Chinese herbal medicine. Within this traditional house on the main street of the old town, we discover a unique display of medicinal herbs. On the left, some medicines are neatly arranged in white plastic bags, this time identified with small labels. Higher up, in a small nod to modern civilization, others are carefully placed in plastic bottles.
A unique shop in China
However, what makes this shop stand out from all the other similar stores and stalls across China is the sheer volume of herbs stored in the white and green sacks seen on the right side of the image. It is well known that each medicinal herb must be harvested at a specific time of the year and that many of these herbs are needed in large quantities to be therapeutically effective. The foresight of this traditional pharmacist creates a truly unique scene in the ancient city of Weishan.
Wonderful Weishan Old City
Weishan is one of the oldest cities in Yunnan province. Officially designated as an autonomous district for the Yi and Muslim communities within the Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, Weishan boasts significant historical, artistic, and cultural attractions. Among them, the Ancient City, with thousands of well-preserved buildings, and Weibaoshan Mountain, located 10 km from the city, stand out as the most important Taoist mountain in Yunnan.
This is why we include this city in almost all of our itineraries in Yunnan.
Last posts
The world of Naxi nationality Dongba deities
The Naxi people believe that every object, animal, plant, or natural phenomena has its own spirit. In the Dongba scriptures more than 2,400 spirits can be found. The sky, earth, sun, moon, mountains, water, wind, and even stones are all believed to be animate and...
The Bulang, aborigines of Yunnan
The Bulang are one of the oldest populations in the Southwest of Yunnan Province. They are considered one of the aboriginal inhabitants of this province, where they could have lived for more than two thousand years. They inhabit this mountainous region that forms the...
The legend of the salt grandma-Wa nationality
Un mito de la minoría Wa de Yunnan, en China Hace mucho tiempo pasaron por esta zona dos hermanas de la minoría Dai de extraordinaria belleza. Ambas tenían un rostro muy atractivo y maneras agradables por lo que por donde pasaban había hombres que las pedían en...
The Baima Tibetan, last heirs of the mythical Di
The Baima are a nationality who live in the border districts of Sichuan (Pingwu and Nanping) and Gansu (Wenxian) Provinces. They are about 10.000 inhabitants that live dispersed for those regions, mixed with the Han. They are concentrated in the Baima village of...
Los Baiyi de Quzuochong, una comunidad olvidada en el centro de Yunnan
En cualquier país que no fuera China, el descubrimiento en los últimos años del siglo veinte, de un pueblo indígena, formado por apenas 500 personas, diferente de cuantos pueblos le rodean, y que practica una religión única, con una serie de ritos y cultos totalmente...
Chinese character 坎 kǎn – pit, hole
Chinese character 吹 chuī – cook 1. pit.2. hole. 3. bank (of a river). 4. ridge HSK - STROKES - RADICAL - 土 Elements ---- An open mouth (lacking) 欠 + earth 土 . Phonetic series 欠. A pictogram of a hole in the earth: the place lacking 欠 earth 土. 垄坎lǒngkǎn ridge...