Abstract: In the process of fighting frequent epidemics, the ancient Chinese gradually formed their ideas about epidemics and consequently a systematic epidemic prevention and control system including three stages that cover the whole epidemic fighting process: effective pre-epidemic prevention, vigorous epidemic fighting measures and active post-epidemic reflection. This system has four characteristics: combination of prevention and control, customization, governmental leadership, and joint efforts of governmental and non-governmental efforts. Learning reasonably from the ancient Chinese epidemic prevention and control system based on an in-depth understanding of it is of great practical significance for the improvement of major epidemic prevention and control systems and mechanisms and the improvement of the national public health emergency management system.

Key words: ancient China, epidemic prevention and control system, contemporary enlightenment