In recent weeks, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) night markets have been gaining popularity in cities like Beijing, featuring services such as consultations, prescriptions, acupuncture, massage, wellness, health care, dietary advice, and cultural promotion—drawing a significant number of young people. The experience of taking a pulse, trying acupuncture, purchasing herbal sachets, or sipping on medicinal tea has become an appealing option for the nightlife of younger generations.
Dr. Jiao Zhihong, the head of the TCM specialty outpatient clinic at Fengtai Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital in Beijing, noted, “Each day, we see over 200 patients, more than half of whom are young people.” He explained that many young adults, busy with work during the day, seek to understand their health status, which leads them to the night market for consultation.
However, Dr. Jiao cautions that many of these young visitors are dealing with issues stemming from late nights and irregular diets, emphasizing the need to prioritize better sleep habits.
A Bustling Holiday Experience
On the last day of China’s National Day holiday, the TCM night market opened at Jingshun TCM Hall in Shunyi, organized by the district’s health committee and Beijing Jingshun Hospital. Despite being the holiday’s final night, the market retained its popularity.
By 6 PM on October 9th, crowds had begun to swell. The market featured various activity zones, including herbal teas, ingredient identification, free medical consultations, TCM education, and hands-on experiences, all attracting long lines of eager participants, many of whom were young.
Among the highlights was the herbal milk tea stall, which ran out long before the market closed. The nearby Ejiao booth was equally busy, with staff reporting that all of the samples they prepared for the first day had been consumed, and even more people came for free tastings in the following days.
In the free consultation area, traditional therapies such as moxibustion, massage, and auricular acupressure were demonstrated. TCM experts from institutions such as the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences provided on-site consultations, answering health questions and offering personalized wellness advice.
Post-90s participant Xiaosai learned about the TCM night market through social media and decided to bring his girlfriend. “We came with a playful mindset, and since my girlfriend is interested in wellness, we wanted to experience taking a pulse and massage,” he shared.
Xiaozhang, another post-00 participant from Chaoyang District, took an hour-long subway ride to the market. He found the night market more interactive compared to traditional clinics, saying, “In summary, it’s a place to taste, observe, and engage. It’s also a great opportunity to enhance health knowledge.”
As the night market approached closing time at 9 PM, it remained vibrant and bustling, with long queues at various stalls. Despite staff announcements that it was time to wrap up, many attendees lingered, reluctant to leave.
A Nationwide Trend
The TCM night market in Beijing is not unique; other provinces and cities have also hosted similar events this summer, showcasing a diverse array of services and activities, organized by local health committees and TCM hospitals.
These markets have proven to be incredibly popular. In Hefei, for instance, in addition to consultations, over twenty stalls filled the square, where promotional videos of traditional exercises like Ba Duan Jin and Wu Qin Xi played on large screens, drawing crowds eager to participate.
In Nanyang, earlier editions of the night market included activities like traditional soccer and toss-the-pot games, alongside lectures on identifying herbs, where young attendees enjoyed health-promoting sour plum drinks while learning about TCM.
In Shenyang, a night market organized by Liaoning Traditional Chinese Medicine University attracted such large numbers that it had to be relocated to a larger venue. Zhao Rui, a post-95 participant, found the crowds overwhelming and opted to explore the acupuncture area instead, purchasing some health products afterward.
Increasingly, nights dedicated to TCM are appealing to young people, who see it as an opportunity to learn about traditional practices in a lively setting, where they can experience therapies that address stress and health issues exacerbated by modern lifestyles.
A Unique and Accessible Experience
Dr. Li, a TCM practitioner in Ili, Xinjiang, is part of a family with seven generations of TCM experience. Invited by the local health committee to participate, she noted that the night market operates later, from 10 PM to midnight. Dr. Li highlighted the popularity of herbal sachets, especially those targeting sleep issues and stress relief among both older adults and young people.
Dr. Jiao from Fengtai also provided consultations at another festival event designed to promote TCM, indicating that many young attendees share similar health concerns related to irregular eating habits and high stress. He encourages young people to maintain a balanced routine, exercise regularly, and adopt practices like Ba Duan Jin and Wu Qin Xi for overall wellness. He also recommends that attendees follow up with formal medical care if necessary.
Despite the late hours, many young visitors express appreciation for having an accessible and engaging avenue to learn about and benefit from TCM practices. As young people increasingly gravitate towards these night markets, there’s a widespread acknowledgment that they serve as a unique platform to integrate traditional medicine into everyday life while addressing modern health challenges.
As the trend continues to gain traction, various themed night markets are beginning to incorporate TCM elements, indicating a growing enthusiasm for these traditional practices among the younger demographic.