Tong Ren Tang
Tong Ren Tang (同仁堂) is an old Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) store, famous for the quality of its herbs.
Established in 1669 in Beijing by Le Xianyang, a TCM physician for the royal family during Qing Dynasty (1664-1911), the store is famous for its herbal soups, cream, ointments and other medicines used by royal courts and ordinary families.
Tong Ren Tang’s motto: “never neglect any slight processes during the making of herbal medicines no matter how complicated a recipe would be and never reduce any ingredients no matter how expensive they are” has been strictly followed for 300 years. The rule is set based on the store’s philosophy that “the strenuous efforts [in making exquisite medicines] can rarely be seen, but heaven knows its sincerity,” (修合无人见，存心有天知).
The store is headquartered in Da Zhalan, Qianmen, an old indigenous business avenue in Beijing, when it was run by Le Fengming, the second successor of Tong Ren Tang.
Having served eight emperors throughout the Qing Dynasty for 188 years, the TCM store is now transforming into a modern pharmaceutical firm, incorporating two companies listed in Shanghai and Hong Kong stock markets, over 800 branch stores and 28 overseas partners in 15 countries and regions.
Established in one of the country’s most dramatic eras, and offering medicinal services from the Qing Dynasty to modern China, the historical medicine store is a favorite among literati and filmmakers.
The store’s history and founders have been adapted into various TV series, including, “The legend of Tong Ren Tang”, “The TCM king in Qing Dynasty” and “The Grand Mansion Gate”, one of the most popular TV series of the past few years.
