Programmes
Traditional Chinese Medicine Through Our Retreats
Once a year we open limited retreats, one week each, in different cities. Real masters, practitioners, personalized treatments, and a small group capped for real attention. Spaces are limited.
AVAILABLE RETREATS
Each retreat is a one week immersion led by our founders and TCM practitioners. Choose a city to see dates, pricing, and what is included.
Guangzhou Retreat
What it is
A deeply restorative Traditional Chinese Medicine retreat in Guangzhou, where ancient healing traditions meet the vibrant energy and rich culinary culture of southern China. You’ll experience daily treatments, hands on practices, nourishing food, workshops, and meaningful moments guided by local doctors and practitioners.
Who it's for
For anyone curious about Traditional Chinese Medicine and seeking a deeper, more meaningful way to care for their health and well-being. No previous knowledge is needed, only an open mind and a desire to slow down, reconnect and learn.
The Itinerary
Every day is designed as a complete immersion into Traditional Chinese Medicine. You’ll experience a different treatment or practice, from body and cosmetic acupuncture to Tui Na massage, herbal steaming and even Dragon Fire Moxa. You’ll meet experienced doctors and masters, visit TCM clinics and herbal markets, and discover how these traditions are still practised in modern China.
Our host and founder, Rui, will also introduce you to her home country through her own eyes, sharing the places, traditions and details that make each destination so special.
Medicinal food is woven into the entire journey, from breakfast through to dinner, with meals chosen to nourish the body and introduce you to regional food therapy. Workshops with Catarina,our founder, TCM doctor and host, are intertwined throughout the itinerary, offering deeper insight into TCM practices, ingredients and philosophy. Each day brings something new to learn, taste and experience.
Guangzhou Retreat
1,500€
27 February–5 March 2027 and 6–12 November 2027
Deposit fully refundable if you cancel more than one month before the program, or if your visa is denied.
Guangzhou TCM Retreat
Retreat Difference
All of our retreats follow the same carefully planned itinerary and are built around the same core TCM experiences. What changes is the destination, the local doctors and the unique energy of each place.
-Catarina's favourite city in China
-30mins by train from Shenzhen and 1:30hr from Hong Kong
-TCM: Known for Lingnan medicine, shaped by the region’s hot, humid climate, with a strong focus on clearing heat, transforming dampness and protecting digestion.
-Food: Cantonese medicinal soups, herbal teas, congee, dim sum and gentle slow cooked dishes.
-Medicine: You'll experience a combination of TCM clinics, masters, herbal markets, modern research and beauty or wellness treatments.
-People: Fast-moving, practical and laid back, while remaining deeply connected to food as medicine.
-Weather: Subtropical, warm and humid and a strong sense of lush southern China.
-Best for:Experiencing TCM in a modern, energetic city where medicine, food, beauty and easy travelling intersect.
Hotel & Refund policy
Stay in a beautiful Canton style hotel called 長禧家酒店 in the heart of the city, our founders favourite area, blending traditional Chinese elegance with modern comfort.
The retreat is fully refundable if cancellation is requested at least one month before the retreat begins. Just email hello@herbarofficial.com
Hangzhou Retreat
What it is
An immersive Traditional Chinese Medicine retreat in the peaceful city of Hangzhou, known for its tea culture, natural beauty and refined approach to wellness. Through treatments, workshops, nourishing food and cultural experiences, you’ll reconnect with your body and experience TCM at its source.
Who it's for
For anyone curious about Traditional Chinese Medicine and seeking a deeper, more meaningful way to care for their health and well-being. No previous knowledge is needed, only an open mind and a desire to slow down, reconnect and learn.
The Itinerary
Every day is designed as a complete immersion into Traditional Chinese Medicine. You’ll experience a different treatment or practice, from body and cosmetic acupuncture to Tui Na massage, herbal steaming and even Dragon Fire Moxa. You’ll meet experienced doctors and masters, visit TCM clinics and herbal markets, and discover how these traditions are still practised in modern China.
Our host and founder, Rui, will also introduce you to her home country through her own eyes, sharing the places, traditions and details that make each destination so special.
Medicinal food is woven into the entire journey, from breakfast through to dinner, with meals chosen to nourish the body and introduce you to regional food therapy. Workshops with Catarina, our founder, TCM doctor and host, are intertwined throughout the itinerary, offering deeper insight into TCM practices, ingredients and philosophy. Each day brings something new to learn, taste and experience.
Hangzhou Retreat
1,500€
17-25 April 2027
Deposit fully refundable if you cancel more than one month before the program, or if your visa is denied.
Hangzhou TCM Retreat
Retreat Difference
All of our retreats follow the same carefully planned itinerary and are built around the same core TCM experiences. What changes is the destination, the local doctors and the unique energy of each place.
-This retreat is 9 days instead of our usual 7, giving you more time to experience both sides of Hangzhou.
-Two additional days will be spent immersed in nature, with hikes around the famous West Lake and a visit to Hangzhou’s peaceful tea plantations.
-One of China’s most beautiful cities, known for West Lake, Longjing tea and its serene landscapes.
-Around 45 minutes from Shanghai by high-speed train.
-TCM: Closely connected to seasonal living, prevention, medicinal food and everyday wellness rituals.
-Food: Longjing tea, freshwater ingredients, delicate Jiangnan cuisine and refined medicinal dishes, an especially beautiful destination for tea lovers.
-Medicine: You’ll experience historic pharmacies, traditional herbal preparation, tea medicine and modern TCM treatments.
-People: Calm, refined and health-conscious, reflecting the city’s peaceful lakeside atmosphere and tea culture.
-Weather: Green and humid, with distinct seasons, beautiful spring and autumn weather, hot summers and cool winters.
-Best for: Experiencing tea culture, TCM treatments, historic Chinese medicine and serene wellness traditions alongside modern city life.
Hotel & Refund policy
Stay in a beautiful Hangzhou-style hotel in the heart of the city, blending traditional Chinese elegance with modern comfort.
The retreat is fully refundable if cancellation is requested at least one month before the retreat begins. Just email hello@herbarofficial.com
Kunming Retreat
What it is
A rejuvenating Traditional Chinese Medicine retreat in Kunming, the “City of Eternal Spring,” surrounded by fresh air, flowers and the natural beauty of Yunnan, China’s “Kingdom of Mushrooms.” You’ll explore TCM through treatments, workshops, seasonal food, medicinal mushrooms, markets and local traditions designed to restore balance and connection.
Who it's for
For anyone curious about Traditional Chinese Medicine and seeking a deeper, more meaningful way to care for their health and well-being. No previous knowledge is needed, only an open mind and a desire to slow down, reconnect and learn.
The Itinerary
Every day is designed as a complete immersion into Traditional Chinese Medicine. You’ll experience a different treatment or practice, from body and cosmetic acupuncture to Tui Na massage, herbal steaming and even Dragon Fire Moxa. You’ll meet experienced doctors and masters, visit TCM clinics and herbal markets, and discover how these traditions are still practised in modern China.
Our host and founder, Rui, will also introduce you to her home country through her own eyes, sharing the places, traditions and details that make each destination so special.
Medicinal food is woven into the entire journey, from breakfast through to dinner, with meals chosen to nourish the body and introduce you to regional food therapy. Workshops with Catarina, our founder, TCM doctor and host, are intertwined throughout the itinerary, offering deeper insight into TCM practices, ingredients and philosophy. Each day brings something new to learn, taste and experience.
Kunming Retreat
1,500€
12-16 June 2027 & 18-24 September 2027
Deposit fully refundable if you cancel more than one month before the program, or if your visa is denied.
Kunming TCM Retreat
Retreat Difference
All of our retreats follow the same carefully planned itinerary and are built around the same core TCM experiences. What changes is the destination, the local doctors and the unique energy of each place.
-Known as the “city of eternal spring”
-Located in Yunnan, known as China’s “Kingdom of Mushrooms” for its extraordinary diversity of wild edible and medicinal mushrooms.
-Surrounded by Yunnan’s incredible natural landscapes and medicinal plant diversity.
-TCM: Shaped by Yunnan’s biodiversity and the influence of local ethnic healing traditions.
-Food: Famous for wild mushrooms, alongside edible flowers, fresh herbs, rice noodles and highly seasonal Yunnan cuisine.
-Tea: Yunnan is the birthplace of Pu’er tea, one of China’s most celebrated fermented teas, with a history deeply connected to medicinal use, ancient tea forests and the historic Tea Horse Road.
-Medicine: You’ll explore medicinal plants, regional herbal medicine and the relationship between traditional knowledge and nature.
-People: Culturally diverse, welcoming and relaxed, with a strong connection to the land and local traditions.
-Weather: Mild for most of the year, with comfortable daytime temperatures and cooler evenings.
-Best for: Experiencing TCM, treatments herbs, mushrooms, ethnic medicine and a more nature led side of China.
Hotel & Refund policy
Stay in a beautiful Yunnan-style hotel called Moonlight Courtyard near Kunming’s Old Town, in the heart of China’s Kingdom of Mushrooms, blending the region’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage with warmth, tranquillity and modern comfort.
The retreat is fully refundable if cancellation is requested at least one month before the retreat begins. Just email hello@herbarofficial.com
Chengdu Retreat
What it is
A grounding Traditional Chinese Medicine retreat in Chengdu, a city celebrated for its relaxed rhythm and people, teahouse culture and deeply rooted healing traditions. Home of Sichuan cuisine, TCM markets and many masters. Through treatments, workshops, food and cultural experiences, you’ll slow down and discover a gentler way of caring for yourself.
Who it's for
For anyone curious about Traditional Chinese Medicine and seeking a deeper, more meaningful way to care for their health and well-being. No previous knowledge is needed, only an open mind and a desire to slow down, reconnect and learn.
The Itinerary
Every day is designed as a complete immersion into Traditional Chinese Medicine. You’ll experience a different treatment or practice, from body and cosmetic acupuncture to Tui Na massage, herbal steaming and even Dragon Fire Moxa. You’ll meet experienced doctors and masters, visit TCM clinics and herbal markets, and discover how these traditions are still practised in modern China.
Our host and founder, Rui, will also introduce you to her home country through her own eyes, sharing the places, traditions and details that make each destination so special.
Medicinal food is woven into the entire journey, from breakfast through to dinner, with meals chosen to nourish the body and introduce you to regional food therapy. Workshops with Catarina, our founder, TCM doctor and host, are intertwined throughout the itinerary, offering deeper insight into TCM practices, ingredients and philosophy. Each day brings something new to learn, taste and experience.
Chengdu Retreat
1,500€
26 June - 2 July 2027
Deposit fully refundable if you cancel more than one month before the program, or if your visa is denied.
Chengdu TCM Retreat
Retreat Difference
All of our retreats follow the same carefully planned itinerary and are built around the same core TCM experiences. What changes is the destination, the local doctors and the unique energy of each place.
- The home of one of most iconic cuisines, giant pandas and one of China’s most relaxed and enjoyable cities.
-Famous for its traditional tea houses, parks and slower rhythm of daily life.
-TCM: Strongly connected to Sichuan medicine and the renownedChuanherbal tradition.
-Food: Bold and aromatic Sichuan cuisine, hotpot, nourishing soups, local teas and regional medicinal dishes.
-Tea: Known for its vibrant tea-house culture and Sichuan teas such asMéngdǐng Gānlù, alongside the jasmine tea traditionally enjoyed across Chengdu.
-Medicine: You’ll experience TCM hospitals, acupuncture, herbal medicine and Sichuan’s rich heritage of medicinal plants.
People: Often considered among the most relaxed in China, Chengdu’s warm and sociable locals place great value on enjoying life, gathering over food and spending long afternoons together in tea houses.
-Best for: Experiencing serious Chinese medicine, herbal heritage, powerful flavours and a deeply relaxed local lifestyle.
Hotel & Refund policy
We'll stay in a beautiful Sichuan style hotel called Chuanxing Yinli in the heart of Kuanzhai Alley, surrounded by Chengdu’s relaxed teahouse culture and blending traditional Chinese character with modern comfort.
The retreat is fully refundable if cancellation is requested at least one month before the retreat begins. Just email hello@herbarofficial.com
From our past retreats
A few moments from previous retreats, moments, meals and TCM experiences.
WHAT EVERY RETREAT INCLUDES
Boutique accommodation, chosen for its calm as much as its comfort
Three TCM guided meals a day, adapted to the season and to you
Daily workshops in Eastern healing wisdom: herbalism, Tai Chi, phytotherapy, acupressure, dietetics
Personalized treatments: acupuncture, cupping, Tui Na, moxibustion, and a full diagnosis
Guided exploration of the host city through a TCM lens: temples, herbal markets, local culture
All ground transportation during the retreat
THE PROGRAM
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TCM TREATMENTS
Experience personalised TCM diagnosis, pulse and tongue reading, body and cosmetic acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, Gua Sha, Tui Na massage, auricular therapy, acupressure, herbal steaming, meridian therapy and personalised herbal medicine guidance.
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WORKSHOPS
Workshops vary by destination and local doctors, but may explore Chinese herbal medicine and phytotherapy, Tai Chi, Five-Element theory, pulse and tongue diagnosis, acupressure, TCM dietetics and seasonal self-care practices.
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EXPLORING THE CITIES
We'll be discovering the each city together, through its iconic landmarks, historic neighbourhoods, temples, traditional markets and local cultural experiences. Along the way, savour regional cuisine and explore how medicinal ingredients, seasonal eating and TCM food therapy are woven into everyday life.
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT OUR RETREATS
What our days will look like?
Morning
Slow breakfast, followed by individual Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis and treatments with senior practitioners. Acupuncture, moxabustion, or cupping are tailored to your body, calming the nervous system and setting the tone for the day.
Midday
Seasonal, nourishing lunch, chosen to support digestion and balance. Food is part of the medicine, enjoyed unhurriedly.
Afternoon
Gentle exploration of the citiy on foot. A nearby temple, cultural space or TCM museum.
Followed by an afternoon TCM workshop.
Evening
Traditional Chinese dinner shared as a group, from dim sum, to hotpot, and cuisines from different Chinese provinces. The day closes slowly, grounded, and held by the rhythm of the city.
What’s included in the retreat price?
Your stay includes 6 nights in a boutique hotel, 3 healing meals a day rooted in TCM principles, daily workshops on Eastern wisdom, facial treatments, acupuncture sessions, a city tour (temples, landmarks, and local experiences), and all ground travel.
Is there other payment options?
Yes, if you'd like to discuss different payment options just email us on hello@herbarofficial.com and if you can add "RETREAT" to the subject line.
What is not included?
Flights to and from the city, travel insurance, personal expenses, and any additional treatments or shopping outside the planned program.
Who are the workshops and treatments for?
They are designed for everyone, regardless of prior knowledge of TCM. The workshops and treatments are beginner-friendly but also rich enough for those who are already familiar with TCM concepts.
What can I expect from the TCM workshops?
The workshops focus on Eastern wisdom, including TCM nutrition, meridian self-massage, healing rituals, and practical tools for everyday well-being.
Is the retreat suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! No prior knowledge of TCM or wellness practices is required, this retreat is about learning, experiencing, and reconnecting.
Can I join from anywhere in the world?
Yes! The Shroomi‑verse is open to Herbar lovers worldwide. Our retreats and internships are very international with people from all over the world.
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.
Can I request a special diet?
Yes, absolutely. While meals are generally shared in local restaurants, we do our best to accommodate individual dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other preferences or allergies. Please let us know in advance so we can arrange suitable options.
Do I need a visa to attend the retreat in China?
According to China’s visa-exemption policy in force in 2026, ordinary passport holders from 49 countries, including most EU countries, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and South Korea, may enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit. This policy is currently valid until 31 December 2026.
Citizens of countries not covered by a visa-exemption policy, including the United States, must generally obtain a tourist visa (L visa) before travelling. As the rules differ by nationality and may change, please confirm the requirements applicable to your passport on the official Chinese Visa Application Service Center website before booking your trip.
What time does the retreat start and end each day?
Our daily schedule typically runs from (9:00 AM to 8:30 PM, including workshops, treatments, meals, and free time.
Are all activities mandatory?
Not at all. This is your retreat, you are welcome to skip activities to rest or enjoy personal time.
Can I stay longer than the planned retreat 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 retreat package and will need to be paid separately to the hotel.
Are treatments included in the retreat fee or paid separately?
The retreat price includes TCM diagnostic consultations such as acupuncture, cupping and moxibustion. Any treatments you'd like to do outside of the itinerary are not included in the price. Herbal remedies are not included, as they are highly individualized and depend on your unique body constitution and specific pathologies.
Are herbs included in the retreat fee or paid separately?
Herbal prescriptions are paid separately, as the cost can vary significantly depending on each person’s individual needs, condition and prescribed formula. Some guests may not require herbal medicine at all.