Doctor Ho Shulong in Baisha Ancient Town, Lijiang

After concluding your travel photography journey in Lijiang, don’t miss the opportunity for an in – depth exploration. Baisha Old Town (白沙古镇) holds a touching story related to a legendary doctor.

The “Snow Mountain Divine Doctor,” He Shixiu (和士秀), was one of the “Three Heroes of Lijiang” and a renowned Naxi doctor. In his early years, he left the army due to illness and followed his father to study medical books and collect folk prescriptions. After personally tasting hundreds of herbs, he became a well – known herbal doctor. In April 1985, the “Yulong Snow Mountain Herbal Clinic” (玉龙雪山本草诊所) opened in Baisha Old Town. Since then, he has treated numerous patients, including local girls suffering from leukemia and American patient Blair. His story, written by a British author and published in the American magazine “Time,” has been reported by nearly 150 media outlets and spread in various languages, attracting visits from the Dutch Queen, British royalty, and other political and celebrity figures.

In 2018, Dr. He Shixiu passed away, but his medical skills and spirit live on in his son, He Shulong (和述龙). In Baisha Old Town, you can still find the “Yulong Snow Mountain Herbal Clinic.” Every morning at 6 o’clock, Dr. He Shulong opens the clinic door on time to see patients. Before seeing patients, he pays homage to his father and offers incense, expressing his remembrance and adherence to the inheritance. During diagnosis, he is meticulous and attentive to detail, diagnosing through pulse – taking and observing the tongue and face, and comforting patients with humorous words. He is proficient in multiple foreign languages, and his superb medical skills attract many patients from home and abroad. The clinic is full of banners sent by patients from various countries.

Dr. He Shulong specializes in treating respiratory diseases (such as asthma, bronchitis, etc.), rheumatic and immune – related diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, etc.), and myasthenia gravis. In the backyard of the clinic lies the Herbal Garden, filled with a variety of medicinal herbs that serve both as specimens and sources of medicinal materials. The courtyard features engravings of media reports on his father’s deeds from different countries, and the plant specimen exhibition hall houses over 1,000 specimens.

Patients come from all over the world, and registration often needs to be done months in advance. On the 1st of each month, patients can register for the following month through a mini – program. During the visit, patients register in order, and after the doctor makes a diagnosis, he will carefully explain the method of taking medicine. The medicine package indicates the time of taking the medicine and is accompanied by a QR code for detailed instructions. The average monthly cost per person is about 600 yuan. Patients with financial difficulties may be granted reduced fees or even free treatment.

If you or someone around you is troubled by illness and has not achieved satisfactory results after seeking medical treatment everywhere, you may want to learn about Dr. He Shulong. However, seeking medical treatment must be rational. In case of urgent illness, you should go to the hospital immediately. When visiting Lijiang, in addition to enjoying the beautiful scenery, take a walk into Baisha Old Town to explore the legend of the “Snow Mountain Divine Doctor” and feel the benevolence of the doctors passed down through generations.