There are a lot of places in the world that will teach you Kung Fu. There is only one place where Kung Fu was born.
Shaolin Zhong Wu Training Camp sits at the foot of Songshan Mountain in Dengfeng, Henan, 1 km from the Shaolin Temple. It was founded by Shi Yan Chen, a 34th-generation Shaolin disciple who began training at age eight, entered Shaolin Temple as a disciple, and has spent over 30 years carrying this tradition around the world.
We sat down with Shi Yan Chen and asked him everything a first-time student would want to know: from what Sanda actually is, to what happens to your body in the first few days, to why he believes Kung Fu is not just a martial art but a way of life. Here is what he said.
Real Shaolin training, 1 km from the Temple
Shaolin Zhong Wu Training Camp is led by 34th-generation headmaster Shi Yan Chen at the foot of Songshan Mountain, 1 km from the Shaolin Temple. It accepts all ages and all levels, including complete beginners, with all-inclusive stays from $700 per week or $1,500 per month at the Shaolin Zhong Wu Training Camp.
- 1 km from Shaolin Temple
- 30+ years Shifu's training
- 4+ hours training/day
- 30+ countries represented
Who Is Shi Yan Chen?
"I began training at age eight. I have been practicing martial arts for over thirty years. Through all the ups and downs, I entered Shaolin Temple as a disciple and have been guided by many renowned masters along the way."
Shi Yan Chen · Headmaster, Shaolin Zhong Wu
"The first time I performed abroad, I was very moved. I hadn't expected so many international friends to be so warm, with such admiration and longing for Shaolin Kung Fu. Their recognition and approval, it is a memory that stays with me to this day."
Shi Yan Chen
"This was also a kind of destiny. I hold Shaolin Kung Fu in deep reverence. I grew up training with a heart full of gratitude. I always held onto my ideal: to promote and spread Chinese culture. I wanted to bring Chinese Kung Fu to the world."
Shi Yan Chen
The Location: Why Here?
"This place is the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu, at the foot of Songshan Mountain, where the Shaolin Temple stands. When I chose this location, I saw that it was beautiful, with excellent geography. We follow the tradition of a master teaching disciples directly, small group teaching, true transmission."
"Not only is there the Shaolin Temple nearby, but also Zhongyue Temple, Songyang Academy, Dharma Cave, all the historic sites of the Shaolin lineage. Come to Songshan. Study Shaolin Kung Fu and visit our classics."
Shi Yan Chen
What You Learn: The Core Kung Fu Curriculum
Training at Zhong Wu begins where all Shaolin Kung Fu begins: with the body. Before forms, before weapons, before sparring, there are three foundational stances that every student must master. Shi Yan Chen teaches them on day one.
- Horse Stance (马步 · Mǎ Bù). Feet wider than shoulder width. Thighs parallel. Back straight. Weight sunk into the earth. The root of all power.
- Bow Stance (弓步 · Gōng Bù). Deep forward lunge. Front knee bent, back leg straight. Hips square. The foundation of all forward attacks.
- Drop Stance (仆步 · Pū Bù). Low to the ground: one knee bent, one leg extended. Used to evade attacks and strike the lower body.
"Our Kung Fu courses include Qin Na, joint locks and grappling techniques, as well as leg skills, traditional forms, and Qi Gong. All of these are contained within Kung Fu. Power comes from the rotation of the waist. Every technique has a purpose. Don't just copy the shape. Understand it."
Shi Yan Chen
What Is Sanda, and How Is It Different?
"Sanda is a practical combat system developed after China's reform and opening up. It evolved from Shaolin Kung Fu. Movements like cloud steps, entering strikes, and close-range techniques all come from traditional Shaolin forms, adapted for real fighting application."
"Today our Shaolin practice focuses on health cultivation and self-improvement, not competition or aggression. The goal is to cultivate the body and refine the spirit."
Shi Yan Chen
Culture Beyond the Training Hall
Zhong Wu is not just a gym. Alongside Kung Fu, students experience the broader context that makes Shaolin what it is.
"Students here also learn traditional Chinese culture: calligraphy, Chan meditation, tea ceremony, Chinese language, and classical studies. The tea ceremony teaches our Chinese way of brewing tea, and it embodies the Shaolin principle of stillness within motion, the Chan state."
"Before training, students recite the martial arts code: respect your teacher, honor the Way, 尊师重道. This is the discipline of Kung Fu. This is what we require of every Shaolin student."
Shi Yan Chen
Who Can Train Here?
"We accept all age groups. Shaolin Kung Fu emphasizes different practices for different stages of life. Children can practice traditional forms. Older students can practice health-preserving methods like Baduanjin and Yi Jin Jing. Families can come and train together. Training is adjusted to each student's level and ability."
Shi Yan Chen
"This place is very quiet. The air is very good. It is ideal for self-cultivation and restoration. Practicing Tai Chi in the morning, Qi Gong, these are very beneficial for the body. For people under pressure, with demanding work, coming here to train can release stress, relieve fatigue. You do not need to have any experience. We build the curriculum around where you are."
Shi Yan Chen
Want to prepare before you arrive? The Shaolin Foundations online course covers the stances, Qi Gong, and basic movements Zhong Wu students start with.
How Long Should You Stay?
"Short-term, one to two months, students get introduced to the basic Shaolin fundamentals: foundational forms, basic techniques. Good for beginners and visitors who want a genuine taste."
"For those who want to go deeper, around six months, they can learn more fully: Kung Fu theory, Buddhist philosophy, a real understanding of what Shaolin is. The longer you stay, the more you understand. We welcome long-term students most of all."
Shi Yan Chen
The Daily Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:30 AM | Wake up |
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:30 to 9:50 | Shaolin Kung Fu |
| 10:30 to 11:30 | Shaolin Kung Fu |
| 11:50 | Lunch |
| 12:30 to 15:00 | Rest |
| 15:00 to 15:40 | Chinese language & culture |
| 15:50 to 16:50 | Shaolin Kung Fu |
| 17:00 to 18:00 | Shaolin Kung Fu |
| 18:00 | Dinner |
What to Expect When You Arrive
"Before you come, prepare your mind. In the beginning, your muscles will be sore, your legs, your arms. Don't be alarmed. After a couple of days it passes. This is completely normal. The body adapts. The discomfort is the training working."
Shi Yan Chen
What Training Here Actually Changes
"Kung Fu is time. Without time, there is no Kung Fu. Every day, with consistent practice, accumulated over years, that is what Kung Fu means. It is not just about fighting. It is a way of life. Your walking, your sitting, your words and actions, all of it is Kung Fu."
"Shaolin teaches Chan-Wu unity, 禅武合一. Chan is stillness. Wu is movement. The combination of stillness and movement is the highest level of practice. When your heart learns to let go, and your body learns to move, your mood becomes joyful. Your spirit becomes clear. This is what I call body-mind unity, 身心合一."
Shi Yan Chen
"Friends watching this video, welcome to our Shaolin. Come and experience Shaolin Kung Fu. I am at Zhong Wu. I am waiting for you."
Shi Yan Chen · Headmaster, Shaolin Zhong Wu Training Camp
Train at Shaolin Zhong Wu
Train with 34th-generation warrior monks
All-inclusive training with 34th-generation warrior monks at the foot of Songshan Mountain. Accommodation, 3 meals/day, Kung Fu, culture, and airport pickup: all included.
Secure your place with a $100 application fee, which includes airport pickup from Zhengzhou East. Add a 20% tuition deposit to confirm your dates. Balance due on arrival.
| Program | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Short Stay | $700 | Per week · $100/day for shorter stays |
| Monthly · Most Popular | $1,500 | All-inclusive · 20% deposit to confirm |
| Long-Term · Best Value | $670/mo | 12-month prepay · $8,040 all-inclusive |
Application form · free to apply→ Pay $100 Application Fee
Includes airport pickup from Zhengzhou East→ Learn More About the Camp
View all program options→
Common Questions
Do I need experience to train at Shaolin Zhong Wu?
No. Complete beginners are welcome. Training is structured to your level from day one.
What age groups can train here?
All ages. Children can practice traditional forms. Adults and older students can focus on health-preserving practices like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Baduanjin. Families can train together.
What is included in the fee?
Accommodation, three meals per day, all Kung Fu training, cultural classes (calligraphy, tea ceremony, Chinese language), training equipment, and airport pickup from Zhengzhou East.
How long should I stay?
Even a week gives you a genuine introduction. A month lets you build real foundation. Six months or more is where the deep understanding begins. View all program options →
Where exactly is the camp?
South slope of Mount Taishi, Dengfeng, Henan, approximately 1 km from the Shaolin Temple, inside the Greater Songshan scenic area. Airport pickup is included from Zhengzhou East.
Shi Yan Chen (魏富强) is a 34th-generation Shaolin disciple and founder of Shaolin Zhong Wu Training Camp. He began training at age eight and has over 30 years of Shaolin martial arts experience, including international performances and cultural exchanges across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Shaolin Zhong Wu Training Camp was established September 2023, Dengfeng, Henan, China.
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