Chinese Martial Arts
Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Wushu — thousands of years of tradition.
9 articles
China ·Early 19th century
Baguazhang — The Eight Trigram Palms
Baguazhang is the circular internal Chinese martial art — founded by Dong Haichuan, built on eight trigrams and the continuous practice of walking the circle.
China ·16th–18th century
Bajiquan — The Eight Extremities of Explosive Combat
Bajiquan is a Chinese martial art from Hebei, renowned for explosive elbow and shoulder strikes in close range — for centuries the preferred style of imperial bodyguards.
China ·Pre-2000 BCE (historical); 5th century CE (Shaolin)
Kung Fu and Wushu — The Martial Arts of China
Kung Fu is the umbrella term for over 400 Chinese martial arts — from Shaolin to Wing Chun to Tai Chi, unified by Qi cultivation, Daoist philosophy and relentless practice.
China ·17th century (Chen Village, Henan); flourished in the 19th century
Taijiquan — The Supreme Ultimate Fist
Taijiquan is the soft, flowing internal Chinese martial art — world-famous as Tai Chi, founded in Chen Village, deeply rooted in Taoism and traditional Chinese medicine.
China ·Late Ming / early Qing dynasty (17th century), Shandong Province
Tanglangquan — The Praying Mantis Style
Tanglangquan is the northern Chinese Praying Mantis style — born from observing an insect, built on lightning-fast hooking techniques and monkey footwork.
China ·Qing dynasty (18th century), Guangdong Province; modern spread from 1949
Wing Chun — The Martial Art of the Straight Line
Wing Chun is the southern Chinese martial art of the direct line — developed by a nun for a woman, brought to world prominence by Ip Man, immortalized by Bruce Lee.
China ·Late Ming / early Qing dynasty (17th century)
Xingyiquan — Form and Intention as a Combat Principle
Xingyiquan is the oldest of the three internal Chinese martial arts — built on five elements and twelve animal forms, simultaneously direct, explosive, and internally rooted.
China ·Legendary origin: Song dynasty; historically documented: Qing dynasty (19th century)
Ying Zhao Quan — The Eagle Claw Fist
Ying Zhao Quan is the Chinese Eagle Claw style — renowned for its 108 grappling techniques, precise pressure point attacks, and complete Chin Na control grappling system.
China ·Ming dynasty (1368–1644) first literary mention; origins possibly older
Zui Quan — The Drunken Fist
Zui Quan is the staggering, unpredictable style of the Drunken Fist — one of China's oldest combat styles, inspired by the Eight Taoist Immortals, made famous by Jackie Chan.