Chinese medicine cabinet refurb

Hi Everyone! I'm a newbie posting from Cape Town and probably breaking all the rules by posting as soon as I joined.:C The wife just obtained a mock Chinese Medicine cupboard with 20 drawers and asked me to refurbish it. I have begun to sand the top (pictures attached) but can't decide how to finish it so I am looking for your advice and guidance. The only other piece I have refurbed is a 1915 Haller wall clock for which I used an equal mix of linseed oil/turps/clear polyurethane after sanding and it came out quite well. The thing that worries me is that this cupboard has either a dark stain or coloured sealant of some sort so I think I would be sanding forever to reveal the actual wood texture in order to use the same method which is really a clear finish. I have a feeling there will always be some dark patches from the original finish. I've obviously done some googling but the number of options I end up with make me even more confused! - stain or oil or a coloured polyurethane or shellack or a mix of everything!! If you are kind enough to advise me try not to use product names as most likely they are not available here, rather describe what they comprise of or their classification so I can search for an equivalent this side of the world. Thank you for spending the time to read my post and I look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Michael. (just found out I can't attach pictures!!!)-managed to do it!!