Chinese students turn to Oriental medicine

Although it is a traditional field of study, this field is still of interest.

Traditional Chinese medicine used to be an unpopular choice in China’s higher education system. However, this year, entrance scores at prestigious schools such as Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BUCM) and Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine have increased sharply, showing the new appeal of the field.

Zhang Honglin, a new BUCM student, shared: “A recurring ankle ligament injury once forced me to leave the football field, but thanks to traditional Chinese medicine treatment, I have fully recovered. I decided to study traditional Chinese medicine a long time ago. It was my experience of traditional treatment that made me believe in and choose this field.”

Not only in the classroom, Chinese youth are increasingly interested in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Zhejiang, YJJing classes, a form of breathing and muscle relaxation, are often full and even last overtime because young people are excited about practicing. In Jiangxi, courses on identifying herbs and experiencing acupuncture or moxibustion attract many students.

On social media, clips about tai chi, herbal teas, and acupuncture have received millions of views, integrating traditional knowledge into contemporary health care culture. In the summer of 2024, many “traditional medicine night markets” appeared in provinces like Gansu, where young people lined up to have cupping, herbal foot baths, or pulse readings, both to relieve fatigue and to experience tradition.

The popularity of TCM comes not only from social demand but also from policy. In 2022, China issued a plan to expand the training of talents in this field. In 2024, the state allocated a budget of up to 22.7 billion yuan. As a result, more than 1,100 TCM specialized departments were newly established, and 67,000 TCM assistant practice licenses were issued. By the end of 2023, the number of TCM doctors nationwide had exceeded 1.04 million.

In April 2025, China also integrated the promotion of this field into the “Healthy China” Initiative, with the goal of building a TCM health care system that covers the entire population and is closely linked to each person's entire life cycle.

According to the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in 2024, the number of visits to traditional Chinese medicine departments nationwide will reach more than 1.6 billion, a sharp increase compared to before. Notably, the proportion of young patients is increasing, especially in the treatment of stress, anxiety and mental problems.

The strong development of Traditional Medicine among young people not only helps restore faith in traditional wisdom but also opens the door to international integration. With the combination of three factors including social needs, supportive policies and new generation beliefs, Oriental Medicine is entering a period of strong revival.

The choice of thousands of high-achieving students this year is not only an academic path, but also an affirmation: Traditional medicine, although born thousands of years ago, still has lasting vitality in the 21st century.

Professor Deng Yong, from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said: “Today’s youth are more proactive in taking care of their health. The holistic approach of traditional Chinese medicine, focusing on the root cause, is truly in line with modern needs.”

According to China Daily

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