A doctor introduces medicinal tea to a citizen. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The hospital, also known as the Fourth Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of TCM, was accredited as the first Grade 3A TCM hospital in Binhai, giving it priority access to national projects and attracting top talent, according to Wang.

In the medicinal food zone, innovative herbal recipes like donkey-hide gelatin soft bread and pumpkin toast drew young people. "It's healthy, delicious, and modern, and TCM really appeals to young people now," said Cheng Hao, sipping heat-dispelling tea.