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Explore the ancient architecture, visit the medicinal herb garden, attend a herbal medicine demonstration, and take a guided tour to learn about traditional healing practices.
Located in Tengchong, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, the Tengchong Yaowang Palace was first built in 1626 AD, the sixth year of the Tianqi reign of the Ming Dynasty, at the initiative of medical professionals. During the late Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, the palace was expanded and renovated by its abbot, Ziweng Pei, giving it a gourd-shaped floor plan. The palace boasts not only an ingenious layout and unique architecture, but also serves as a valuable testament to the long history of Tengchong's traditional Chinese medicine industry.
The Medicine King Palace is shaped like a gourd, with the palace gate forming the gourd's mouth, the Five Emperors Tower forming the gourd's neck, the Medicine King Hall and the main hall forming the gourd's belly, the lotus pond forming the gourd's base, and the surrounding wall forming the gourd's shell. The palace gate, facing west and east, is a wooden archway-style structure with three bays and a width of 7.5 meters. Two pillars in the main hall are supported by drum-shaped stones. Entering through the palace gate, one is greeted by a small courtyard and a vaulted door in the northwest corner, inscribed with the characters "Bie You Dong Tian" (A Different Cave Heaven). After entering the gate, one descends west along the east-west corridor on the north side, reaching the lotus pond at the base of the gourd.
The Tengchong Yaowang Palace was founded by Li Zhongchun, a military physician who accompanied General Deng Zilong of Fengcheng, Jiangxi, to Tengchong during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The palace was praised by fellow medical professionals. Completed in 1626, the sixth year of the Tianqi reign (1626 AD), it was originally named Qingwei Palace and dedicated to the renowned Tang Dynasty physician Sun Simiao. A shrine to General Deng Zilong was also built.
The tropical monsoon climate combines the advantages of continental and maritime climates. Winter and spring are sunny and warm, while summer and autumn have a mix of sunny and rainy weather and are cool and pleasant. All four seasons are suitable for travel.
The gate of the Medicine King Palace faces west and east, forming a wooden archway-style structure. It has three bays and is 7.5 meters wide. Two pillars in the main hall are supported by drum-shaped stones. Entering through the gate, one encounters a small courtyard and a vaulted door in the northwest corner, inscribed with the characters "Bie You Dong Tian" (A Different Cave Heaven). After entering the vaulted door, one descends west along the east-west corridor on the north side, reaching the lotus pond at the bottom of the gourd.
Turning east from the lotus pond, along the central axis are the Hall Building, Medicine King Hall, and Five Emperors Building, each rising in steps according to the terrain. The Hall Building, facing east and west, is a single-eaved, gabled, through-beamed wooden structure with three bays and a width of 11.25 meters. The main hall on the first floor serves as the entrance to the Medicine King Hall.
Entering the courtyard, the Medicine King Hall is located in front. Built on a platform, it faces east and west. It is a single-eaved, gable-roofed, through-beamed wooden structure. The wing rooms on either side are three-bay bungalows, forming a quadrangle with the main hall. The Medicine King Hall is 12 meters wide.
Behind the Medicine King Hall is the Five Emperors Tower, facing east and built on a high platform. It features a double-eaved, hip-and-gable roof and a loft-style structure. The beams, eaves, columns, and rafters are painted, and the carvings are simple and executed with crisp, sharp techniques. The front porch is enclosed by stone railings. The original Medicine King Temple building remains largely intact, and the palace gate and the Five Emperors Tower have been restored to their original appearance. The Five Emperors Tower also has three bays and is nine meters wide.
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The Medicine King Palace, located in Yunnan, is an important cultural site dedicated to traditional Chinese medicine and the cultivation of medicinal herbs. It serves as both a historical and educational center for medicinal knowledge.
Medicine King Palace is located in Baoshan, Yunnan. The easiest way to reach it is by taxi or private car. There is no direct metro service to the site.
The palace is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. The best times to visit are in the spring and autumn when the weather is mild.
The entrance fee is approximately 50 CNY. Tickets can be bought at the entrance or online through various local tourism platforms.
Booking tickets in advance is recommended during peak tourist seasons (spring and autumn). You can book tickets online up to a week in advance.
It typically takes about 2 to 3 hours to fully explore the Medicine King Palace and its surrounding medicinal herb garden.
Key highlights include the main palace hall, the medicinal herb garden, and the herbal medicine workshop where visitors can learn about traditional treatments.
Guided tours are available in Mandarin, and audio guides are available in English and Chinese. It is best to book a guide in advance.
The best photography spots are from the balcony of the main hall, where you can capture the scenic views of the surrounding mountains and the herb garden.
Start with a tour of the medicinal herb garden, then visit the main hall for historical insights, and finish with the herbal medicine workshop.
There are no night visits or light shows. However, special herbal medicine workshops may be available on request during certain times of the year.
The palace can get crowded during weekends and holidays. The least crowded times to visit are on weekdays, especially in the early morning.
There are toilets, water refill stations, a small shop selling medicinal herbs and souvenirs, and rest areas around the grounds.
The palace has wheelchair accessibility in most areas, though some paths in the herb garden may be challenging for visitors with mobility issues. It is suitable for children and elderly visitors with some assistance.
Cash is accepted, but mobile payments (Alipay and WeChat Pay) are the most common and convenient payment methods.
There are a few small local eateries near the entrance where visitors can try local Yunnan cuisine. Inside the palace grounds, there is a simple café offering snacks and drinks.
Local restaurants nearby offer vegetarian options, though halal food is not commonly available in this area.
There are several budget hotels in Baoshan. For a more comfortable stay, you can opt for mid-range hotels in the city center.
Nearby attractions include the Baoshan Museum and the ancient town of Tengchong, which is known for its hot springs and historical sites.
There are souvenir shops selling traditional Yunnan medicinal herbs, herbal teas, and handmade crafts, which make great gifts.
After visiting, you can take a taxi or a bus back to Baoshan city center. If you're heading to nearby towns like Tengchong, long-distance buses and private taxis are available.
