Beijing Tong Ren Tang

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Last updated October 9, 2026

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Overview

Beijing Tong Ren Tang (TRT; Chinese: 同仁堂) is a Chinese pharmaceutical company founded in 1669, making it one of the oldest surviving brand names in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is now the largest producer of TCM and is considered one of the 'Big 4' traditional Chinese medicine brands still in existence, alongside Guangyuyuan (1541), Guangzhou Chen Liji (1600), and Hangzhou Hu Qing Yu Tang (1874). The company is headquartered in Beijing, where it engages in both manufacturing and retail sales, and it operates drug stores predominantly in Chinese-speaking regions. Tong Ren Tang has been officially recognized as a 'China Time-Honored Brand' by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China. The company was established in Beijing by Yue Xianyang, a senior physician at the Qing imperial court, during the eighth year of the reign of the Kangxi Emperor. In 1702, it relocated to the address from which it has operated ever since. In 1723, the Yongzheng Emperor appointed Tong Ren Tang as the sole supplier of herbal medicines to the imperial court, a position it held until the collapse of the Qing dynasty in 1911. In 1924, its Tiger Bone Wine was awarded at the Leipzig Trade Fair, making the product the most popular type in commerce. Like many older Chinese companies, Tong Ren Tang has struggled to adapt to market changes. In recent years, it has modernized its facilities and changed its trade name to Tongrentang. It remains one of the oldest surviving TCM brand names and has wide name recognition among Chinese and Asians worldwide. It is also one of the world's largest TCM companies, with products sold in countries all over the world. Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. invested in Tong Ren Tang Technologies in 2000 by subscribing six million shares in the company, and previously had two joint ventures with Tong Ren Tang. In October 2007, Tong Ren Tang and an American company called Greater China Corporation jointly announced the formation of a partnership under the name Tong Ren Tang Wellness Corporation to develop spa-like wellness centers providing treatments and products based upon TongRenTang herbal medicines, including acupuncture, massage, acupressure, tuina, tai chi, qigong, reflexology, and other oriental treatments as well as a full line of herbal foods and health products. In 2020, the company began to expand into a chain coffee business, turning part of the drugstore into a coffee shop selling coffee and milk tea with herbs under the name 'ZhiMa Health', aiming to attract young consumers back to the traditional Chinese medicine market; this service is only available in Beijing for the time being. Tong Ren Tang products are often counterfeited both inside and outside China. China's Ministry of Commerce notes that 'Tong Ren Tang...and others have had their names and brands illegally registered by other Chinese and overseas manufacturers, resulting in a predicament in exports, multinational exchanges, and potential economic losses.'

History

Tong Ren Tang traces its history to Beijing in 1669, during the eighth year of the Kangxi Emperor’s reign in the Qing dynasty. The founder, Yue Xianyang, was associated with the imperial medical establishment and created a medicine business whose reputation was later strengthened by its connection to the Qing court. In 1702, the business moved to the location from which its historic Beijing retail identity developed. In 1723, during the Yongzheng era, Tong Ren Tang was appointed a supplier of herbal medicines to the imperial court. It retained that role until the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911. The imperial appointment became more than a historical episode: it supplied the brand with a long-lasting association with careful selection, skilled preparation, and reliable formulas. Tong Ren Tang’s traditional manufacturing philosophy is expressed through a maxim that emphasizes not reducing labor when preparation is complex and not reducing the quantity or quality of materials when ingredients are costly. This principle helped distinguish the business in a sector where trust, provenance, and preparation techniques were central to consumer confidence. During the late Qing and Republican periods, Tong Ren Tang continued to operate as a medicine house while Chinese commerce became more competitive and increasingly connected to overseas markets. A Tong Ren Tang Tiger Bone Wine product received recognition at the 1924 Leipzig Trade Fair, according to historical accounts, illustrating the company’s early attempts to present Chinese medicinal products to an international audience. The original tiger-bone product should be understood as a historical product reference rather than a current offering, because the use of tiger bone is prohibited under modern wildlife-protection rules. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Tong Ren Tang was incorporated into the changing structure of China’s pharmaceutical and commercial system. Over time, its activities developed beyond a single historic pharmacy into a group of manufacturing, retail, technology, international, healthcare, and investment entities. Modernization included new production facilities, standardized industrial processes, expanded quality systems, and broader distribution. The traditional name was also increasingly represented in the romanized form Tongrentang for contemporary commercial use. The group’s post-1990s development included capital-market and international initiatives. Beijing Tongrentang Co., Ltd. became a Shanghai-listed company under ticker 600085, while Beijing Tongrentang Technology Development and other related companies supported manufacturing, research, and overseas development. In 2000, Hutchison Whampoa invested in Tong Ren Tang Technologies by subscribing for shares, reflecting the growing interest in commercializing traditional Chinese medicine through partnerships and modern corporate structures. In 2007, Tong Ren Tang and the American Greater China Corporation announced Tong Ren Tang Wellness Corporation, a proposed platform for wellness centers combining traditional Chinese medicine products and services. The planned service mix included acupuncture, massage, acupressure, tuina, tai chi, qigong, reflexology, herbal foods, and health products. This initiative represented an early effort to reinterpret the pharmacy heritage as a broader lifestyle and wellness proposition. The company has also invested in preserving and formalizing its cultural assets. Tong Ren Tang’s traditional medicine culture and selected traditional preparation techniques have been recognized within China’s national intangible cultural heritage framework. The brand has also been designated a China Time-Honored Brand, reinforcing its official status as a historic commercial name. Modern growth has not been free of difficulty. The brand has faced widespread counterfeiting and unauthorized registration of its name and marks in China and overseas markets. These problems have affected exports, licensing, cross-border commerce, and consumer trust. In 2018 and 2019, a food-safety controversy involving honey associated with Tongrentang Bee Industry led to investigations, public criticism, product checks, and the withdrawal of a national quality award. The episode highlighted the governance risks created by contractors, affiliates, and a complex group structure. The group has continued to broaden its consumer proposition. In 2020, its Zhima Health concept brought herbal coffee, milk tea, health foods, wellness experiences, and traditional medicine-related services into a more contemporary retail environment in Beijing. The project was aimed particularly at younger consumers and illustrated the company’s attempt to combine traditional medicine culture with modern consumption occasions. By the mid-2020s, Tong Ren Tang remained an active, internationally recognized Chinese medicine group. Its business continued to span patent medicines, herbal preparations, health products, pharmacy retail, traditional medicine services, and overseas operations. Leadership of the Shanghai-listed operating company changed in 2025, when Zhang Chaohua became chair and Chen Jiafu became general manager. The brand’s continuing challenge is to preserve the authority of its heritage while meeting modern expectations concerning evidence, product safety, regulatory compliance, transparent governance, intellectual-property protection, and relevance to new generations.

2025
Zhang Chaohua becomes chair of the listed company
[7]Beijing Tongrentang Co., Ltd. 2025 leadership change announcementvip.stock.finance.sina.com.cn
Zhang Chaohua is elected chair of Beijing Tongrentang Co., Ltd.; Chen Jiafu becomes director and general manager.
2023
Manufacturing affiliate receives marketing authorization-holder approval
[9]Tongrentang manufacturing authorization announcementtongrentang.com
Tongrentang’s manufacturing plant becomes marketing authorization holder for selected products, including Angong Niuhuang Wan.
2020
Zhima Health coffee and wellness concept expands
[10]People’s Daily Overseas report on Zhima Healthpaper.people.com.cn
Tong Ren Tang experiments with coffee, herbal beverages, health foods, and wellness services in Beijing retail locations.
2019
China Quality Award recognition withdrawn
[12]China Quality Award recognition withdrawnzh.wikipedia.org
Authorities withdraw Tong Ren Tang’s China Quality Award recognition after the honey controversy.
2018
Honey-related food-safety controversy
[11]Honey-related food-safety controversytongrentang.com
A controversy involving honey produced by an affiliated or contracted business triggers investigations and product checks.
2007
Tong Ren Tang Wellness partnership announced
[1]Tong Ren Tang — Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Tong Ren Tang and Greater China Corporation announce a partnership focused on integrated TCM wellness centers.
2000
Hutchison Whampoa invests in Tong Ren Tang Technologies
[1]Tong Ren Tang — Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Hutchison Whampoa subscribes for shares in Tong Ren Tang Technologies, supporting the group’s modern corporate and international development.
1924
Tiger Bone Wine receives Leipzig Trade Fair recognition
[1]Tong Ren Tang — Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Historical accounts record recognition for a Tong Ren Tang Tiger Bone Wine product at the Leipzig Trade Fair.
1911
End of the Qing imperial supply relationship
[1]Tong Ren Tang — Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
The fall of the Qing dynasty ends Tong Ren Tang’s formal imperial-court supply role.
1723
Imperial-court medicine appointment
[1]Tong Ren Tang — Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Tong Ren Tang is appointed a supplier of herbal medicines to the Qing imperial court, a role it retains until 1911.
1702
The business moves to its historic Beijing location
[1]Tong Ren Tang — Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Tong Ren Tang relocates to the site associated with its long-running Beijing retail identity.
1669
Tong Ren Tang is established in Beijing
[1]Tong Ren Tang — Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Yue Xianyang establishes the medicine business during the Kangxi era of the Qing dynasty.

Products and positioning

Premium, heritage-led traditional Chinese medicine and wellness, combining imperial-court associations and traditional preparation culture with modern pharmaceutical manufacturing, retail, and health-service formats.

Chinese patent medicine
Angong Niuhuang Wan
A traditional formula-based pill positioned by Tong Ren Tang as one of its signature heritage medicines. The product is associated with the classical Angong Niuhuang Wan prescription and with meticulous sourcing, processing, honey-pill formation, and wax-sealing techniques. Tong Ren Tang markets versions containing natural bezoar and natural musk where permitted by applicable approvals. It is a regulated medicine and should be used only according to approved labeling and professional medical advice.
Chinese patent medicine and tonic
Liuwei Dihuang Wan
A classic replenishing formula made from six traditional herbal ingredients, including prepared rehmannia, Chinese yam, poria, moutan bark, Chinese cinnamon-related ingredients, and alisma in the standard formula tradition. Tong Ren Tang sells the product in multiple dosage forms, including large honey pills, water-honey pills, concentrated pills, and soft capsules. It is one of the brand’s most recognizable everyday traditional medicine products.
Chinese patent medicine
Tongren Niuhuang Qingxin series
A family of traditional formula products included among Tong Ren Tang’s core product varieties. The series is marketed in multiple specifications and dosage forms and contributes to the brand’s heart, brain, circulation, and general wellness product portfolio. Product indications, ingredients, and approved uses vary by formulation and jurisdiction.
Women’s traditional health medicine
Wuji Baifeng products
A traditional women’s health product family associated with replenishing and balancing formulations. Tong Ren Tang offers Wuji Baifeng-related products as part of its established patent-medicine portfolio, including products sold under the Tong Ren Tang and Beijing Baifeng naming systems in different markets.
Chinese patent medicine
Xihuang Wan
A traditional formula-based pill included among Tong Ren Tang’s core varieties. It reflects the company’s focus on classical prescriptions, standardized production, and heritage products with long-standing recognition in the Chinese medicine market.
Chinese patent medicine
Jingzhi Niuhuang Jiedu Pian
A Tong Ren Tang patent-medicine product in the clearing and detoxification segment. It is part of the group’s established cold, heat-clearing, and general symptom-oriented product portfolio, with formulations and approved claims governed by local pharmaceutical regulation.
Chinese patent medicine and reproductive-health tonic
Wuzi Yanzong Wan
A traditional formula product sold by Tong Ren Tang as part of its core varieties. The product belongs to a traditional tonic and reproductive-health category and is marketed in regulated pharmaceutical forms rather than as an unrestricted food supplement.
Chinese patent medicine and tonic
Jinkui Shenqi Wan
A classical formula-based tonic product included in Tong Ren Tang’s core product list. It represents the company’s broader range of traditional replenishing medicines beyond its best-known heart, brain, and emergency-oriented offerings.
Health supplement
Tong Ren Tang Ganoderma products
A range of health products based on ganoderma, including products marketed as broken-wall ganoderma spore powder capsules and related formulations. These products are especially visible in overseas markets and in the group’s international health-product portfolio.
Traditional supplement and health food
Ejiao and tonic products
Tong Ren Tang sells donkey-hide gelatin and other tonic products within its replenishing, nutrition, and wellness categories. These products extend the brand beyond prescription-like patent medicines into gift, nourishment, and daily health-consumption occasions.
Wellness retail and herbal beverage concept · 2020
Zhima Health
A contemporary retail concept introduced in Beijing that combines coffee, milk tea, herbal ingredients, health foods, wellness services, and traditional medicine-related experiences. Zhima Health was designed to make the heritage brand more approachable to younger consumers and to create new consumption occasions around health and lifestyle.

Controversies

2021
Group general manager Gao Zhenkun under disciplinary review and supervisory investigation
In February 2021, the Beijing Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision announced that Gao Zhenkun, general manager of Beijing Tongrentang Group, was suspected of serious violations of discipline and law and was subject to disciplinary review and supervisory investigation. The announcement did not disclose a specific criminal finding or court judgment.
Source
2019
Withdrawal of China Quality Award recognition
Authorities withdrew Tong Ren Tang’s China Quality Award recognition after the honey controversy. The action increased reputational pressure on the group and underscored the importance of supplier controls, food-safety governance, and accountability across affiliated entities.
Source
2018
Fined over 14.08 million yuan over commissioned honey production incident
At the end of 2018, Tongrentang Bee Industry's commissioned honey production involved issues such as recycled honey and altered production dates. In February 2019, handling results were announced: the companies involved were fined a total of over 14.08 million yuan, related products were recalled, and 14 relevant responsible persons were held accountable. The specific entities involved were the bee industry company and the commissioned manufacturer.
Source
2013
Mercury content and recall controversy over some Tongrentang Chinese patent medicines in Hong Kong
In May 2013, the Hong Kong Department of Health found that a batch of Tongrentang Jian Ti Wu Bu Wan exceeded the local mercury limit and ordered a recall. Tongrentang Technology confirmed it was commissioned to process the batch but said factory release, retained sample and submitted test results met standards; the Hong Kong Department of Health subsequently told Caixin that the recall was still ongoing. This entry is limited to that batch and testing controversy and does not presume all Tongrentang products were non-compliant.
Source

2020Zhima Health youth-oriented wellness retail
Beijing, China
Tong Ren Tang used coffee shops, herbal beverages, health foods, wellness services, and redesigned retail environments to reach younger consumers and associate traditional medicine with contemporary urban lifestyles.
Outcome. The concept attracted public attention as an example of a time-honored Chinese medicine brand experimenting with food-and-beverage retail and social-media-friendly experiences.
Source
2020Traditional Chinese medicine culture and health-promotion outreach
China
Tong Ren Tang participated in health-industry exhibitions and public-facing health-promotion activities featuring products such as Angong Niuhuang Wan, Liuwei Dihuang Wan, tonic products, and traditional medicine lines.
Outcome. The activity reinforced the brand’s position as both a heritage medicine house and a modern health-industry participant.
Source
2007Tong Ren Tang Wellness Corporation
United States · China · International markets
Tong Ren Tang and Greater China Corporation announced a wellness-center partnership built around acupuncture, massage, acupressure, tuina, tai chi, qigong, reflexology, herbal foods, and health products. The initiative translated the pharmacy brand into an integrated traditional medicine and lifestyle service proposition.
Outcome. The announcement demonstrated Tong Ren Tang’s intention to internationalize its service model, although the available reference material does not establish the partnership’s full scale or long-term commercial outcome.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Reorganize leadership of the listed operating companyOther
Background
Beijing Tongrentang Co., Ltd. adjusted its senior leadership structure during the term of its tenth board.
Action taken
Di Shubing left the listed company’s chair and directorship on August 11, 2025. Zhang Chaohua was elected chair, and Chen Jiafu served as director and general manager.
Aftermath
The change placed the listed company under new chair and management leadership while Di Shubing continued in a senior role at the controlling group.
Source
2023
Secure marketing authorization for selected traditional medicinesProduct launch
Background
China’s marketing-authorization-holder system allows approved pharmaceutical companies and manufacturing organizations to hold regulatory responsibility for products under defined arrangements.
Action taken
The Tongrentang manufacturing plant became marketing authorization holder for selected medicines, including Angong Niuhuang Wan, Da Huo Luo Wan, and Niuhuang Qingxin Wan.
Aftermath
The change strengthened the group’s direct regulatory and product-management position for the specified medicines.
Source
2020
Enter contemporary coffee and lifestyle retailStrategy
Background
The company faced the challenge of making traditional Chinese medicine relevant to younger urban consumers and of creating new retail occasions beyond medicine purchases.
Action taken
Tong Ren Tang introduced the Zhima Health concept, combining herbal coffee, milk tea, health foods, wellness experiences, and traditional medicine-related services in Beijing.
Aftermath
The concept generated public interest and positioned Tong Ren Tang as an example of a heritage healthcare brand experimenting with lifestyle retail.
Source
2007
Develop integrated wellness centersStrategy
Background
Tong Ren Tang sought to extend its traditional pharmacy identity into service-based wellness and to create an international platform for traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
Action taken
The company announced Tong Ren Tang Wellness Corporation with Greater China Corporation, covering acupuncture, massage, acupressure, tuina, tai chi, qigong, reflexology, herbal foods, and health products.
Aftermath
The initiative marked a strategic move toward integrated wellness services, but the available sources do not establish the eventual size or profitability of the venture.
Source
2000
Accept strategic investment in Tong Ren Tang TechnologiesM&A
Background
The group was developing modern corporate structures and seeking broader commercial and international capabilities for traditional Chinese medicine.
Action taken
Hutchison Whampoa subscribed for six million shares in Tong Ren Tang Technologies.
Aftermath
The investment supported the modernization and internationalization of a Tong Ren Tang-related listed technology business, although the available material does not quantify its long-term financial effect.
Source

Recent events

2021-03-16
Tong Ren Tang chairman Gao Zhenkun resigned[20]同仁堂董事长高振坤辞职finance.ce.cn
Reported: 2021-03-16
Tong Ren Tang announced that chairman Gao Zhenkun resigned as a director and from all board positions for personal reasons; his resignation took effect when the resignation letter was delivered to the board.
2021-03-16
Tong Ren Tang general manager Di Shubing began serving as interim chairman[20]同仁堂董事长高振坤辞职finance.ce.cn
Reported: 2021-03-16
Tong Ren Tang's board unanimously selected general manager Di Shubing to temporarily exercise the chairman's duties at its meeting on March 16, 2021.
2020-11-13
Tong Ren Tang launches herbal coffee[21]同仁堂推出中药咖啡news.zol.com.cn
Reported: 2020-11-13
Tong Ren Tang launched coffee drinks combining coffee with Chinese herbal ingredients at its health-food and dining experience store in Beijing.
2020-06-08
Zhima Health upgrades its new-retail business model[22]知嘛健康升级新零售业务商业模式finance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2020-06-08
Tongrentang disclosed that its retail service Zhima Health had upgraded its new-retail business model, expanding service scenarios across customer, product, and service settings.
Unconfirmed
Tong Ren Tang reports 2019 annual results[23]同仁堂披露2019年年报sc.stock.cnfol.com
Tong Ren Tang disclosed its 2019 annual report, reporting operating revenue of 13.277 billion yuan and net profit attributable to shareholders of 985 million yuan, down 6.56% and 13.12% year over year, respectively.
2020-03
Tongrentang Group makes a third round of COVID-19 donations[24]同仁堂集团启动第三批抗疫捐赠health.people.com.cn
Reported: 2020-03-13
Tongrentang Group made a third round of donations of products and supplies valued at more than RMB 10 million for COVID-19 response efforts in China and overseas. The article reports that the donations brought its total to more than RMB 22 million.

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