Bian Que was a native of the State of Qi (now Changqing district, Jinan, Shandong province) during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).

Deemed as "father of traditional Chinese medicine", Bian Que made great contributions to the development of China's medicine sector.

He founded the "Four-step Diagnostic Method", which consisted of observing, such as looking at patients' tongues and their outside appearances; listening to their voice and breathing patterns; inquiring, such as asking about their physical conditions and symptoms; and taking their pulse. Even today, the method remains a foundation for diagnoses in TCM.

Bian Que's connection to Jinan

Many heartwarming folk legends of Bian Que saving the lives of the injured and leading the villagers to seek and collect Chinese herbs on the mountains have been passed down among local residents in Jinan's Changqing district, which is known as Bian Que's hometown. The district has a long and illustrious history of Bian Que culture and TCM culture.

At the foot of Wenchang Mountain in Changqing district, there is a Bian Que culture theme park that covers more than 92 hectares, and includes scenic spots such as a memorial archway of Bian Que's hometown, his statue, a cultural corridor, and a pavilion.

In addition to Changqing, two mountains in Jinan's Tianqiao district – Yaoshan Mountain and Queshan Mountain – also have a close relationship with Bian Que.

Yaoshan Mountain got its name for producing valuable medicinal stones. It was once where Bian Que harvested medicinal herbs, according to ancient texts.

The mountain is rich in a variety of medicinal herbs, such as banxia (the tuber of pinellia) and chaihu (radix bupleuri).

Queshan Mountain, a small hill located on the northern bank of the Yellow River, is said to be the place where Bian Que made medicines. The mountain got its name after Bian Que was buried there.

At the foot of the west side of Queshan Mountain sits Bian Que's tomb. This year, the tomb was renovated to improve the cultural relics' continuity.