CMU was established as China Medical College (Chinese: 中國醫藥學院) on June 6, 1958 and transformed itself into China Medical University in 2003. It is the first academic institution in Taiwan where Chinese medicine and pharmacy programs are provided, and provided the first university level course in Chinese medicine in Taiwan. The university has two major campuses, Taichung and Beigang.

CMU is an integrative university which includes seven colleges where various degree programs in western medicine, Chinese medicine, pharmacy (including Chinese herbs), health care (including nursing), life sciences, public health, and management are provided.

CMU also hosts the Lifu Museum of Chinese Medicine on-campus, a 1350 square meter, three story space dedicated to the history, practice and materials of Chinese medicine, with rotating exhibitions changing twice a year.