Introduction: The Scent of Xiamen in Nanyang Households
In the old family residences of Singapore, Penang, or Manila, one often finds aged medicinal liquor bottles emblazoned with “Lion Globe” or “Double Dragon” logos. For many second- and third-generation overseas Chinese, these fragrant fluids were essential—used by elders to ward off the chill on rainy days or to soothe muscles after long hours of labor. These were not merely famous “Amoy souvenirs”; they were “liquid family letters” connecting the bloodlines of Southeast Asia and Southern Fujian.
While the educational philanthropy of Mr. Tan Kah Kee is widely celebrated, the “Three Great Medicinal Liquor” dynasties founded by pioneers like Qian Qitai, Guo Xinchun, and Weng Chaoyan built an equally profound cultural identity across Southeast Asia during the Qing and Republican eras.
The Source: From Ming ‘Huai De Ju’ to the Qing Dynasty Trio
Xiamen’s pharmaceutical industry dates back to the Ming Dynasty. According to historical records, as early as the Jiajing era (1552–1566), Guo Feiran from Henan founded the Huai De Ju Pharmacy in Xiamen’s Ci Street. This is one of the oldest pharmacies on record in Xiamen, and its products, “Zhu Po Jing Feng San” and “Medicinal Olive Douchi,” were exported extensively throughout Southeast Asia.
However, the real “Amoy Medicinal Liquor” global brand emerged with the rise of the “Three Houses” during the Qing Dynasty:
- Wan Quan Tang: Founded approximately 300 years ago (Early Qing) by Qian Qitai from Shaoxing, Zhejiang. He combined Jiangnan brewing techniques with the climate of Southern Fujian to develop the renowned “Guo Guang Medicinal Liquor”.
- Chun Sheng Tang: Established during the Daoguang era (1821–1850) by Guo Xinchun from Yongchun. Recognizing that overseas Chinese in Nanyang were often engaged in heavy labor and prone to rheumatism, he formulated the “Lion Globe” brand for rheumatic ailments.
- Song Yun Tang: Opened on Minsheng Road in the Xiamen Port area (Xiagang) by Dr. Weng Chaoyan from Jinjiang. Its liquor was not only medically effective but gained legendary status when Dr. Sun Yat-sen personally handwritten the three characters for “Song Yun Tang”.
Craftsmanship: 30+ Rare Herbs and the 100-Day Infusion
The enduring popularity of Xiamen medicinal liquor in the Nanyang market is due to its rigorous selection of materials and adherence to “ancient preparation” techniques. For instance, the recipe for Wan Quan Tang’s Guo Guang liquor involves over 30 types of precious traditional Chinese medicines, including Agarwood (Chen Xiang) and Amomum (Sha Ren).
The production process is meticulous: the herbs must be processed, ground into powder, and submerged in specially distilled sorghum liquor. According to local gazetteers, the liquor must be infused for “100 days” in a specific environment to achieve its color, resulting in a fragrant aroma and gentle medicinal properties that invigorate the blood and strengthen the body. This pursuit of quality allowed these liquors to win numerous awards at international exhibitions in the early 20th century.
Digital Archives: Xiamen’s Most Influential Pharmacies and Distilleries
Based on digitized historical data, here are the most frequently searched industrial archives among overseas Chinese communities:
| Brand Name | Founder | Established (Year/Place) | Signature Product | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wan Quan Tang | Qian Qitai (Shaoxing) | Early Qing / Xiamen | Guo Guang Liquor (Double Dragon) | |
| Chun Sheng Tang | Guo Xinchun (Yongchun) | Daoguang Era / Xiagang | Lion Globe Rheumatic Liquor | |
| Song Yun Tang | Weng Chaoyan (Jinjiang) | Late Qing / Minsheng Rd | Song Yun Medicinal Liquor | |
| Huai De Ju | Guo Feiran (Henan) | Ming Jiajing / Ci Street | Zhu Po Jing Feng San | |
| Yong An Tang | Hu Wenhu (Yongding) | 1932 / Xiamen | Tiger Balm, Ba Gua Dan | |
| Hui Chun Tang | Xie Baosan (Minhou) | 1894 / Guan-zai-nei | Hui Chun Dan, Jing Feng San |
Significance for Modern Root-Seekers: A Cultural Anchor
In 1956, during the socialist transformation, 11 distilleries including Wan Quan Tang, Chun Sheng Tang, and Song Yun Tang were merged to form the “Joint State-Private Xiamen Distillery”. Although the corporate form changed, the century-old secret recipes and brand symbols were fully preserved.
For overseas Chinese, tracing the origins of these medicinal liquors is essentially a reconstruction of their ancestors’ survival history. These liquors once served as the physical backbone for ancestors clearing land in the jungles of Nanyang or sweating in the mines. Through digital gazetteers, we can precisely locate the industrial footprints left by pioneers like Qian Qitai and Guo Xinchun on Xiamen’s Zhenbang and Minsheng Roads.
Conclusion
The power of words lies in awakening memory. In a digital age without images, through these structured original data points, we can glimpse how Xiamen’s ancestors used medicine and liquor to build a 300-year healthy bridge between their new homes and their ancestral soil.
If you find these brands among your ancestors’ belongings, remember: their roots are in Xiamen, preserved in the pages of its time-honored gazetteers.