Artemisinin is a significant achievement of Project 523，the invention of which has gone through 3 stages，namely the fuzzy-exploration stage，the monomer-discovery stage and the applicable-drug-invention stage.Broadening thoughts，discovering signs，measuring comprehensively and determining the focuses are the basic path for the invention of artemisinin.Top-level design，pronounced division and cooperative innovation are the effective models for the invention of artemisinin.Respecting traditional medicine，believing in the strength of the masses and carrying forward the spirit of dedication are the important guarantees for the invention of artemisinin.