Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine

About

The Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine is the principal TCM teaching hospital and provincial TCM center for Gansu Province, located in Lanzhou. Gansu occupies a special place in the history of Chinese medicine — the province is a major production region for Chinese medicinal herbs, including Angelica sinensis (当归, danggui), Astragalus (黄芪, huangqi), and Codonopsis (党参, dangshen), all foundational herbs in the TCM pharmacopoeia. The hospital's location in this herbal heartland gives it a particular connection to medicinal plant cultivation, quality, and clinical application.

History & scale

Founded in 1978, the hospital is a relatively young TCM institution, established during the post-Cultural Revolution revival and expansion of TCM education. It operates approximately 1,200 inpatient beds on a campus in Lanzhou. The hospital has grown steadily, developing specialized TCM clinical departments and building research capacity in herbal pharmacology.

Star specialties

The hospital is noted for its TCM internal medicine program covering gastroenterology, respiratory medicine, and cardiovascular disease — with an emphasis on herbal formulas using Gansu-sourced medicinal plants. Acupuncture and moxibustion is a core service. The hospital's TCM orthopedics department uses manual bone-setting and herbal plasters. A distinctive feature is the hospital's engagement with Dunhuang medical manuscripts — the famous Dunhuang caves in western Gansu contained medieval medical texts that have been studied by scholars at Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, providing historical depth to the hospital's academic TCM identity. The hospital also has programs in TCM gynecology and TCM dermatology. Additionally, it has expertise in managing diseases relevant to the northwest Chinese environment, applying TCM approaches to conditions influenced by the region's arid climate, high altitude, and dietary patterns.

Achievements & recognition

As a Grade A Class A (三甲) TCM hospital and the teaching hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, it is central to TCM education and clinical research in northwest China. The hospital contributes to research on Gansu's medicinal plant resources and their clinical applications.

International services

International patient services are modest. The hospital has some international connections through the university's TCM programs and through the broader interest in Dunhuang medical history. The herbal quality and authenticity associated with Gansu's status as a medicinal plant production region may be of interest to international TCM patients and practitioners. English-language support is limited; international patients should arrange independent interpretation.

Why choose this hospital

For international patients interested in TCM, this hospital offers a connection to Gansu's identity as a premier medicinal herb production region — the herbal materials used here come directly from one of China's most important herbal cultivation areas. The hospital's scholarly engagement with the Dunhuang medical manuscript tradition adds a unique historical dimension. For patients seeking TCM in northwest China, it is the primary institution in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine located?

Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine is located in Lanzhou, China.

Is Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine a reputable hospital?

Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine is a Class III-A hospital — the highest tier in China's grading system, held by only about 5% of hospitals nationwide.

Can international patients visit Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine?

Yes. International patients are advised to contact the hospital ahead of the visit to confirm appointment procedures and language support (+86-931-8635008).

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