Wushu, the Chinese martial arts, sometimes known in the western countries as Kungfu, has a long history in China. Enriched through the ages, it has become one of the most treasured cultural heritages to the world from the ancient civilization of China. The richness in its historical development, the profoundness of its philosophies, the graceful movements, the variety of styles, the artful combination of inner and external strengths, the significant effects on mind, body and spirit of the practitioners have made Wushu a beloved sport form or practice both in China and in worldwide.

Traced back to the early history of China, Wushu existed as early as Shang (C.1600-1046 BC) and Zhou (C1046-771 BC) Dynasties. With the invention and development of techniques in bronze casting and bronze-made high-quality weapons, the needs for Wushu in both self-defense and battles increased. Around the time of Jin Dynasty (265 - 420 A.D.) and Southern and Northern Dynasties (420 – 581 AD), Buddhism and Taoism brought profound influences to Wushu. It was said that a Taoism philosopher Ge Hong integrated Wushu with Qigong, a unique discovery in traditional Chinese medicine on the usage of Qi (air flow) in the human body. His theory of "external and internal work" in Wushu is still one of the key principles for Chineses Wushu today. By Tang Dynasty (618 - 907A.D.), the court examination system for choosing officials required both military men and scholars to practice Wushu. Wushu entered into the mainstream imperial society in its full force in China.

With such a long evolution and the great diversity in culture, ideology, region throughout the ancient China, Wushu has encompassed a large variety of styles, with weapons or without. Today there are hundreds of Wushu schools in China, each with its own teaching and style. More and more Wushu schools are opened in the world.

Chinese Wushu represents a great deal more than the meaning of KungFu in western word. It is not a simple format of sport or pure exercise of the body or physical strength; it embodies the full coordination of individual’s temperament, mental awareness, discipline, determination and potential. It is an exercise of the body, the mind, the intelligence and the philosophy of one individual. It is a cooperation of the nature and man as the essences of many Wushu styles were derived directly from the natural beings either an animal or a plant. Throughout Chinese history, a true and well respected Wushu master always emphasizes the combination of skills and philosophies in Wushu, the importance of ethics, justice, modesty, compassion that are essential to human nature which in turns help develop one self to reach a higher ground of existence and skill level.

Chinese Wushu has long been mystified by movies and stories. Recent movies like “Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon”, “Heros”, etc. have increased the popularity of Wushu further more in the western world.



Shaolin Temple or Shaolin Monastery of Songshan, Henan Province, is perhaps the most famous Wushu sanctuary in China. The Temple’s turbulent fate along with that of the Chinese history and the long association with the development of Chinese Wushu has made it one of the best known Buddhism temples in China and to the world. In 2006, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Shaolin Temple to pay his respect to Chinese Wushu.