Nestled in Hainan province, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone is redefining wellness travel by merging cutting-edge healthcare with ancient traditions. Established as a testing ground for innovative medical tourism models, the zone highlights licensed therapies, cancer research, and—most notably—Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Among its standout offerings is "fire dragon moxibustion," a TCM technique using ginger and mugwort to stimulate energy pathways. CGTN’s Zang Shijie recently experienced the therapy at Boao Super Hospital, where practitioners apply smoldering mugwort cones along the spine to promote circulation and balance. "It felt like warmth spreading through my entire body," Zang remarked, underscoring the treatment’s appeal to both young professionals seeking stress relief and older visitors managing chronic pain.
Boao’s focus on TCM reflects broader trends in Asia’s medical tourism sector, valued at $15 billion annually. Analysts note its potential to attract global travelers, investors eyeing health-tech startups, and diaspora communities reconnecting with ancestral practices. As the pilot zone expands, it aims to position Hainan as a hub for integrative medicine—bridging millennia-old wisdom with modern innovation.
