Professor Wong Tin-chee’s journey from humble beginnings to traditional Chinese medicine advocate and philanthropic leader reveals a life devoted to healing, hope and community

In the fast-changing heart of Hong Kong, where tradition meets modernity, Professor Wong Tin-chee stands as a quiet force of continuity and care. A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Wong is the co-founder of the Wong To Yick Wood Lock Medicated Balm, alongside his father Wong To-yick, and is also the driving force behind medicinal products that have become Hong Kong household names, like Herbalgy, Touch-Cool and Tibet Red. But what drives him isn’t business—it’s people.

Wong’s outlook is shaped by his upbringing in Sham Shui Po, one of Hong Kong’s most storied and resilient districts. His father is a respected TCM practitioner and entrepreneur, and Wong grew up observing not only the healing powers of traditional herbs but also the enduring strength of a closely-knit community. That spirit, rooted in mutual care, perseverance and humility, is what Hongkongers call the Lion Rock Spirit: a deeply held belief in working hard, supporting one another and never giving up, even in adversity.

Above Professor Wong Tin-chee (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)

This spirit is at the core of everything Wong does. While he has built a business empire, he remains grounded in the belief that relationships matter more than revenue. “I didn’t start doing this to make money,” he says. His passion lies in healing: “I see myself as someone who wants to help people live without pain.”

Wong believes strongly in the power of prevention and that the body’s natural state can be restored through traditional methods before turning to pharmaceuticals. “Pain is a signal,” he explains. While western medicine often focuses on suppressing that signal, it is not always the first answer. TCM aims to understand the cause. “If blood and energy are not flowing properly, pain arises. Restore that flow and healing happens.”

Above Professor Wong Tin-chee (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)

This belief led him to create his signature pain relief products, starting with the Wong To Yick Wood Lock Medicated Balm. He wanted a remedy that would be accessible, effective and rooted in generations of Chinese medical wisdom. Over time, he expanded his range, creating a trusted portfolio of natural products that support recovery without over-reliance on modern drugs.

Under Wong’s leadership, these brands have become staples in Hong Kong households and across Greater China. According to global research firm NielsenIQ, Wong To Yick has been the number one muscle pain relief brand in Hong Kong from 2022 to 2025, in both sales volume and value.

But Wong’s business decisions aren’t just about profit. In fact, he insists on manufacturing all of his products in Hong Kong, even when it would be cheaper to produce elsewhere. At the heart of the decision is a desire to support Hong Kong, a cause he feels strongly about, just like helping people heal.

Today, Wong’s approach to healthcare remains both intuitive and practical. He spends time with patients, listening to their stories and teaching them how to use his products properly. He is even known to redesign packaging and instruction leaflets to include illustrations, ensuring every user can understand how to relieve pain safely and effectively.

That same human touch extends to his philanthropic work. In 2018, he founded Community Med Care, a charity that provides free TCM treatments to children with autism, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries and other challenging conditions. Through its flagship programme, The Angel Mission, the organisation has delivered more than 50,000 treatments to over 1,090 children.

Above Professor Wong Tin-chee (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)

These children, affectionately known as “little angels”, receive not only medical care but also compassion and dignity. Wong’s clinic, housed in a restored pre-war tong lau in Sham Shui Po, is a tribute to his roots and a symbol of what he believes in: preserving history while caring for the future.

“To practise medicine in a building just like the one I grew up in—it feels like everything has come full circle,” he says. What sets Wong apart is not just his success, but the heart behind it. In a fast-paced world where businesses chase growth at all costs, he remains a rare figure—someone who sees his life’s work not as a brand, but as a mission: to heal, serve and give back.

As Hong Kong continues to evolve, it is leaders like Wong who remind us of the values that endure. In his hands, the past is not forgotten—it is transformed with wisdom, compassion and the enduring Lion Rock Spirit into a future of healing.