Nestled along the Yarlung Tsangpo River in southeastern Tibet, Milin City is renowned for its unique Tibetan medicine culture. The name "Milin" translates to "Land of Medicine" in Tibetan. The forested valleys on both sides of the Yarlung Tsangpo are rich in Tibetan medicinal resources, providing a natural advantage for the development of Tibetan medicine culture and industry. In recent years, Milin City has leveraged its local strengths to prioritize the development of Tibetan medicine, enhancing the "Land of Medicine and Valley of Flowers" brand through an innovative dual-drive model integrating culture and industry, bases and enterprises, and channels and brands. This has established a comprehensive Tibetan medicine cluster encompassing cultivation, cultural tourism, product manufacturing, and medical technology application, transforming Tibetan medicine into a highlight of local green development.
**Culture + Industry: Elevating Tibetan Medicine’s Golden Brand** Milin has hosted 17 consecutive Yellow Peony Tibetan Medicine Cultural Tourism Festivals to boost the brand’s visibility. The city also established its first Tibetan Medicine Culture Museum, dedicated to showcasing, preserving, and researching Tibetan medicine. Additionally, the county-level Tibetan Hospital was upgraded to a Class 2B facility, furthering the heritage and development of Tibetan medicine. By systematically compiling over 350 ancient texts by renowned figures like Yutok Yonten Gonpo and collecting 500 modern prescriptions and manuscripts, Milin built a Tibetan medicine古籍resource库, enriching the industry’s cultural foundation. The city also pioneered integrative "Tibetan + modern medicine" techniques, achieving notable success in treating altitude sickness and digestive disorders.
**Base + Enterprise: Scaling Up for Greater Benefits** In Xuka Village, Milin Town, a 500-acre polygonatum cultivation project was launched with a Yunnan-based enterprise, tapping into ideal growing conditions. The base is expected to yield 800,000 jin (400 tons) of fresh polygonatum, valued at 24 million yuan, while providing local employment. This mirrors Milin’s broader strategy of using "base + enterprise" models to expand cultivation, with 8,000 acres of forest land allocated for wild-simulated farming of 12 medicinal varieties like lingzhi and fritillaria. Annual output now reaches 1.2952 million jin, generating 188 million yuan in产值and 10.26 million yuan in dividends for locals. Leading enterprises like Xinzang Xintai Biotechnology have further boosted economic and social效益.
**Channel + Brand: Expanding Market Reach** To overcome market barriers, Milin highlights unique selling points like "rhodiola grown at 4,000 meters" through documentaries and social media, while launching文创products like herbal标本and卡通盲盒to attract younger consumers. Leveraging对口support, the city partnered with pharmaceutical firms in Guangzhou and Shenzhen to expand its market. E-commerce networks now cover city, township, and village levels, with flagship stores on Tmall and JD.com generating 2.89 million yuan in sales. Cultural体验points in scenic areas like Nanyi Valley also promote便携products like incense and lip balms.
Renqing Quzhu, head of Milin Darya Gan Pharmaceutical, expressed confidence in the industry’s前景, citing active production of pills, capsules, and powders. "We’re committed to preserving Tibetan medicine culture and growing this事业," he said.
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