Zhu Danxi, from Chi'an town in Yiwu city, was a medical scientist of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). He founded a medical system that took "yin-nourishing" as the core theory and integrated it with the ideas of Confucianism.

Zhu is honored as a "master of medical science" for his contribution to traditional Chinese medicine. He set up the School of Danxi by teaching students and writing books. From the Yuan Dynasty until now, his ideas have been passed down for 20 generations and the current inheritors include his offspring Zhu Ruiming and Zhu Jinren.

His master books were included in the Si Ku Quan Shu, or Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature, forming a complete and strict theoretical medical system. The therapies he created are still employed in modern clinical practice. His ideas about disease prevention and mental regulation still influence modern ideas about  health preservation.

Zhu's medical ideas spread to many other countries. They were introduced into Japan in the 15th century and developed into a medical school there. Zhu was even honored as a "medical sage" by the Japanese. His theories were also introduced to ancient Korea and Vietnam and had a strong impact on the local medical cultures.

Yiwu city attaches a great deal of importance to Zhu Danxi Chinese medical culture and plans to invest 41.9 million yuan ($6.2 million) from 2016 to 2020 to protect the culture. The Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine would be removed and rebuilt, and would strengthen cooperation with colleges, universities, research institutions and superior hospitals, to become an influential base for the study of Zhu Danxi Chinese medical culture. The city will also publish more books related to Zhu, arrange activities, such as academic exchanges and lectures on health preservation and foster health-related industries.