At the Rio Olympic Games, Phelps' "cupping tattoo" successfully drew people's attention and created curiosity in many viewers to find out more about traditional Chinese Medicine. According to figures from the appropriate authorities, the number of foreign students studying Chinese medicine in China is increasing annually and it is the number one selection among the natural science subjects. At the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are more than 1,100 overseas students who are studying it or related subjects. If we add those in short-term training courses, there are nearly 3,000 students each year studying traditional Chinese medicine on campus.

Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is China's first medicine school to accept overseas students and offer qualifications in the field. All the overseas students are treated in the same way as Chinese students and have to follow the strict management system. This means, that for Western students, studying Chinese medicine is not that easy. Of all the Chinese Medicine Schools, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine ranks in the top ten and offers many international exchange projects. Many students elect to study in Tianjin because of the popularity of the two masters who oversee the course - Zhang Boli and Shi Xuemin.

A doctor is going on further education.[Photo provided  to Chinadaily] Biu,from Nigeria,is a master on cupping.[Photo provided to Chinadaily] The pulse training instrument can simulate 20 kinds of pulse.[Photo provided to Chinadaily]