A new exhibition in Hangzhou is offering locals and visitors a rare glimpse into the soul of traditional Chinese medicine - not through textbooks but centuries-old artifacts once tucked away in family cabinets and village workshops. Titled “Treasures of Folk TCM: A Heritage Collection,” the show - co-hosted by Sun Taihe Pharmacy and Zhejiang City Expo Culture - has just opened at the West Lake Expo Museum. On display are hundreds of rare folk-collected items from hand-carved medical printing blocks and massive herb-grinding boats to delicate medicinal pills, botanical specimens, and antique pestles. Each piece tells a story of healing wisdom passed down through generations.

Rather than a dry historical survey, the exhibition unfolds across 12 thematic chapters—“Origins,” “Herbs,” “Meridians,” “Wellness,” “Formulas,” “Classics,” “Healing Ethics,” “Schools of Thought,” “Tools,” “Cultural Exchange,” “Global Reach,” and “Living Legacy” - weaving a rich, coherent narrative of TCM’s evolution over millennia. But this isn’t just a look-don’t-touch museum experience. Organizers have woven in playful, modern touches: A 24 Solar Terms photo trail invites visitors to snap seasonal selfies while learning how ancient rhythms still shape health practices today. Four interactive zones let you roll up your sleeves: stamp your own herbal seal, craft a vintage-style bookplate, slice tongcao (rice paper plant) like a Qing-dynasty apothecary, grind herbs in a stone mortar, or blend natural spices like clove and angelica root to make your own fragrant pendant or bracelet.

And yes, you can even get your pulse read! As part of a special “Diagnosis at the Museum” service, senior TCM practitioners from Sun Taihe will be on-site offering free consultations and wellness advice.

Best of all? It’s completely free to attend. The exhibition runs through December 17, open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (closed Mondays). Whether you’re a TCM enthusiast or just curious about China’s healing heritage, it’s a chance to touch, smell, create and connect.