Travel Notes
Chinese Culture

Chinese Martial Arts: Tai Chi & Shaolin Kung Fu

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Chinese Martial Arts Experience: Tai Chi & Kung Fu

Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu are Chinese martial arts’ two most famous traditions. Experiencing them in person in China is a hundred times more powerful than any movie.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is known for being “slow,” but don’t be fooled — every movement contains hidden attack and defense applications. In any Chinese park at dawn, you’ll see groups of elderly people practicing. Joining them is a completely free experience.

Chinese Martial Arts: Tai Chi & Shaolin Kung Fu

Recommended spots — Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, Shanghai’s Bund, and Chengdu’s People’s Park are popular morning practice locations. Many park instructors happily teach foreigners a few basic moves for free.

Shaolin Kung Fu

Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Henan is Chinese martial arts’ holy land. Warrior monk performances run several times daily — wall-climbing, iron head technique, two-finger Zen, and other stunts are jaw-dropping.

Shaolin Kung Fu classes — dozens of martial arts schools surround the temple, many accepting short-term foreign students. A one-week experience costs ¥2,000-5,000 including meals, accommodation, and training. Daily schedule: 5am wake-up, running, stance training, and form practice.

Other Martial Arts

  • Wing Chun — Ip Man’s style, with museum and experience halls in Foshan, Guangdong.
  • Wudang Tai Chi — Wudang Mountain in Hubei is the birthplace of Daoist martial arts, with tai chi classes on the mountain.

Tips: Shaolin Temple entry is ¥80, warrior monk performances are included. Arrive before 8am — afternoons get too crowded.

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