A group of international students got a hands-on introduction to traditional Chinese medicine on July 1 at the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Part of the Global Youth Culture Camp, the visit introduced them to centuries of medical history—from ancient healing tools to wellness practices that endure today—and gave them a chance to make their own herbal sachets and try out the Five-Animal Exercises.

The day began with the group learning the Five-Animal Exercises from Zhou An, an American doctoral student at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The ancient practice, which combines slow, deliberate movements with focused breathing, is rooted in the idea that physical health and mental well-being go hand in hand. As the students followed Zhou's lead, stretching and shifting through the postures, many got their first real feel for a tradition that sees the body and mind as one.

After the exercises, the group moved indoors to explore the museum's collection. They traced the evolution of Chinese medicine through the ages—from primitive stone tools and bone needles to traditional wellness practices such as moxibustion and qigong. Along the way, they were introduced to foundational concepts of TCM: the balance of yin and yang (opposing forces in nature), the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), and the idea that health depends on the body's harmony with its environment. The underlying philosophy, they learned, is prevention—keeping the body in balance before illness takes hold.

Then came the hands‑on session: making herbal sachets. Under the guidance of a museum educator, they mixed and packed dried herbs, getting a feel for how different ingredients are combined for specific purposes.

For many participants, the visit brought home a simple realization: TCM is not a relic of the past. It is a living tradition—deeply rooted in history yet still part of everyday life, from the clinic to the kitchen.

The museum organized the program and planned the day's activities for the group. Zhou An, an American doctoral student at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, served as guide and interpreter. Having studied under several distinguished mentors over the years, Zhou is both a witness to and a beneficiary of the tradition he now shares with others. His own journey—as a foreigner fully immersed in Chinese medicine—gave him a unique ability to bridge perspectives and help the visiting students connect with TCM on a deeper level.

For the participants, the visit was more than just a trip to a museum. It was an opportunity to engage with a living tradition while taking part in a cultural exchange that goes both ways.

Source: Shanghai University