Herbar's TCM Hospital Internship in China
Two weeks of real clinical training inside a real TCM hospital
Train inside a real Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital in China. Shadow Chinese doctors. See real patients every day.
Learn the medicine from where it is lived and practiced. This is not a retreat. This is not a classroom simulation. This is real world Traditional Chinese Medicine.
2 ROOM OPTIONS:
SHARED ROOM OR SINGLE ROOM
DATES:
First group: 17th of July till the 31st of July
Second group: 31st of July till the 14th of August
Upon booking, you will receive a follow-up email inviting you to select your preferred dates.
As we received over 1000 applications, availability is very limited, and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thank you so much for your understanding. We truly appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in joining us.
THE PROGRAM
-
HOSPITAL TRAINING
Shadow Chinese doctors
Observe real patient consultations
Treatment strategiesSee China specific techniques
Trauma rehabilitation
Clinical decision making
Department rotations
TCM pharmacy observation
Participants may book their own treatments at the hospital; these are optional and not included in the program price. -
CLINICAL IMMERSION
Daily hospital practice
Pulse and tongue diagnosis
Syndrome differentiation
Treatment strategy logic
Doctor led case discussions
Real world TCM workflows
English translation at all times
Intern further after hospital times
Tai Chi and discussions after work
Observational in nature, participants will shadow doctors and observe real patient treatments. -
LIFE IN SANYA
Five star hotel accommodation
Ten minute walk to the hospital
Tropical island environment
Evenings and weekends free
Beaches and nature
Rest and integration time
Local food and culture
Food focused on yin, yang and dampness concepts
Sanya has a tropical climate; participants should be comfortable with heat and humidity
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE
Drop us an email at hello@herbarofficial.com or send us a WhatsApp at +351 913 496 942, we’re always ready to chat!
A TYPICAL DAY IN SANYA
You will arrive three days before the internship starts, on a Friday, giving you the weekend to gently adjust to jet lag, settle into the rhythm of Sanya, meet the whole group, and ease into the experience before training begins. You can see how both dates start on a Friday.
Morning
Breakfast at the hotel buffet.
Medicinal soups, warm vegetables, congees, and traditional Chinese dishes, plus eggs, toast, fruit, and coffee.
08:30
Meet in the lobby.
Walk together to the hospital.
Ten minutes on foot.
09:00 to 12:00
Morning hospital shift.
Groups of around ten people.
Each group follows one department and one Chinese doctor.
You will
Shadow doctors
Observe real patient consultations
Watch treatments
Learn diagnostic reasoning
Follow real clinical workflows
12:00 to 15:00
Lunch and rest break.
Local restaurants or hospital cafés.
Meals around €3 or less.
Yes, naps are part of the culture.
15:00 to 18:00
Afternoon hospital shift.
Return to your department.
Observe further patients and treatments.
Deepen treatment strategy understanding.
Evenings
Free time.
Beach, ocean, island walks, local food, rest.
Optional Extra hospital time can be arranged via the Herbar team for deeper immersion.
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP
How do shared rooms work?
Shared rooms are twin rooms shared with another participant of the same gender.
We match roommates carefully and thoughtfully whenever possible.
If you are traveling with a friend, please let us know and we will place you together.
If you would prefer your own space, we recommend choosing the private room option.
How big are the groups and how does booking work?
To preserve the quality of the clinical experience and ensure meaningful access to doctors and departments, this program is limited to very small groups.
Each group is capped at a maximum of 10 participants.
We keep the group intentionally very small to protect the quality of the hospital experience. This allows close shadowing of doctors, real access to patients and treatments, meaningful hands-on learning, and smooth rotation through departments without disrupting daily hospital work.
Because of this structure, each cohort is genuinely limited edition and we cannot expand group size or accept unlimited applicants.
Places are allocated strictly on a first come first served basis. So once it's fully booked it will show as sold out.
Your place is only secured once your deposit or full payment has been received.
Booking interest alone does not reserve a place.
Once a group is full, no additional participants can be added.
Deposits are held to secure your place until May 2026, after that payment needs to be made in full.
Your deposit guarantees your spot in one of the date groups.
Final group placement and exact dates are confirmed once groups are filled.
Due to limited hospital capacity, we are not able to increase group size beyond the confirmed limit.
Can I have treatments during my stay?
Definitely! A consultation in the hospital costs around 5 euros/dollars. Once you see the doctor and have a diagnosis they'll tell you which treatments you need and you can always get them during your stay.
The treatments are not included in the price as it'll truly depend on you and your condition.
People in past retreats always got a couple of treatments during their internship, as there's so many true TCM masters in the hospital.
Is this a retreat or a training program?
This is a clinical training immersion inside a real hospital. You will be observing real patients and shadowing real doctors every day.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
No. The program is fully conducted in English. Translators are present at all times.
What happens after I pay the deposit?
Once your deposit is paid, your spot is immediately secured and your payment is processed and safely held by Shopify, which is a fully PCI-DSS compliant and encrypted payment platform used by millions of brands worldwide. Your payment details are never stored or visible to us.
Your place in the group is considered officially reserved as soon as the deposit goes through and you receive your automatic confirmation email and receipt.
To fully confirm your participation and ensure you are joining us, the remaining balance must be paid by March 31st, 2026.
If you are on a payment plan, we will coordinate the remaining installments with you personally.
If you need an invoice, receipt, or written confirmation for your records or visa purposes at any point,just let us know.
Will I be treating patients during the immersion?
No. For ethical, legal, and clinical safety reasons, participants will not diagnose patients, perform acupuncture, prescribe herbs, or touch patients unless explicitly invited and supervised by a licensed Chinese doctor.
This immersion is designed as a deep observational and learning experience inside a functioning Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital. You will shadow doctors, observe real treatments, and learn directly from live clinical practice.
In rare cases, and only at the discretion of the supervising physicians, participants may be invited to assist with very simple tasks under direct supervision. Patient safety, consent, and clinical integrity are always our top priority.
Can I bring my family or loved ones?
Yes, you can book yourself a single room and bring your partner or family. We can help you book a bigger room.
Do I need to be a licensed practitioner?
No. This program is open to students, practitioners, and deeply committed learners. You need to ready to soak all the wisdom and magic you're going to see.
Do I need travel and medical insurance to participate?
We recommend that you do. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is highly encouraged for all participants.
Your insurance must cover international travel, medical treatment abroad, hospital care, and emergency evacuation or repatriation.
This requirement is in place to ensure your safety and wellbeing throughout the immersion. By joining the program, you confirm that you hold valid insurance for the full duration of your stay in China.
Who issues the diploma or official certificate?
The official diploma is issued directly by the Sanya Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It confirms your participation in the hospital internship and the training completed during the program.
Will I be treating patients?
No. You will be observing, learning, and shadowing doctors. You will not be performing treatments.
How intense is the schedule?
Hospital training runs six hours per weekday.
Mornings and afternoons.
Long lunch and rest break included.
Evenings and weekends are free.
What exactly will I be doing in the hospital?
• Shadow doctors
• Observe consultations
• Watch treatments
• Learn diagnostic reasoning
• Rotate through departments
• Learn how real world TCM is practiced daily
What does the certification allow me to do?
This is an educational immersion certification.
It does not replace formal licensing in any way shape or form.
Can dietary needs be accommodated?
Breakfast is provided at the hotel, and there's a very big selection to choose from.
Lunch and dinner are eaten independently.
China offers many vegan, vegetarian, and allergy friendly options.
What are meals like and how much do they cost?
Meals typically cost around €3 per meal or less.
Local food is fresh, warm, and nourishing.Sanya is in Hainan province so think lots of coconut, dampness reducing foods and Qi tonics.
What should I pack?
Comfortable clothing for workshops, walking shoes for the city tours, a swimsuit if you’d like to use the spa facilities, and any personal items you need. A detailed packing list will be sent to participants closer to the date.
Will there be free time?
Yes, the program balances workshops, treatments, and tours with enough time for you to relax, journal, or explore at your own pace.
What language will the workshops be in?
All sessions and tours will be conducted in English, with local experts and guides assisting.
What kind of meals will be served during the retreat?
Breakfast is included with your hotel stay. For lunch and dinner, we will dine at curated local restaurants offering delicious, seasonal Chinese cuisine aligned with Traditional Chinese Medicine principles.
Is transport needed daily?
No. The hotel is ten minutes walking distance from the hospital. If you want to enjoy Sanya in your free time then you'll use DIDI, tehir version of Uber.
What if I want to explore the island?
You are free after 6 pm and on weekends.
You can use Didi for taxis.
Beaches and nature are nearby.
Do I need a visa to attend the retreat in China?
If you're from most European Union countries, you do NOT need a visa to enter China for up to 30 days, as long as you hold an ordinary passport (excluding Sweden, Czechia, and Lithuania).
United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and UAE: Also eligible for visa-free entry for up to 15 or 30 days (depending on country). United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most Latin American or African countries: A tourist visa (L visa) is still required.
Are all activities mandatory?
Not at all. This is your internship, if you want to skip activities to rest or enjoy personal time that's up to you
Can I stay longer than the planned dates?
Yes, absolutely! If you’d like to extend your stay before or after the retreat, we’re happy to help you book extra nights at the same hotel, subject to availability.
Please note: Additional nights are not included in the package and will need to be paid separately to the hotel.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes. Three payment option available. Please email hello@herbarofficial.com with subject line Sanya internship.
Final payment due by June 2025.
How do I secure my place?
Places are secured only once payment is received.
Booking is first come first served.
Is this suitable if I am just beginning my TCM journey?
Yes, if you are deeply serious about learning and immersing yourself in the medicine.
How does the deposit work and what is the cancellation policy?
To secure your place, a deposit is required at the time of booking.
Your place is only confirmed once the deposit or full payment has been received.
If your visa is not approved
Your full deposit will be refunded upon proof of visa denial.
If you cancel more than one month before the program start date
Your deposit will be fully refunded.
If you cancel less than one month before the program start date
The deposit is non refundable, as hotel rooms and hospital placements will already be confirmed and paid for.
In cases of serious illness or death
If you are unable to attend due to serious illness or death of an immediate family member, your deposit will be refunded upon provision of appropriate documentation.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers cancellations for unforeseen circumstances.