Have you ever been captivated by the exquisite martial arts in the classic film Shaolin Temple? Behind that awe-inspiring display lies the thousand-year-old kungfu culture originating from the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song in Henan.

Shaolin kungfu, formed in a specific Buddhist cultural context, is a traditional cultural system based on Buddhist beliefs, fully embodying Zen wisdom, and has a history of over 1,500 years. Since the establishment of the temple by Indian monk Batuo during the Northern Wei Dynasty, through its rise in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, flourishing during the Ming Dynasty, decline in the Qing Dynasty, and revival in the 1980s, Shaolin kungfu has become one of the oldest and most comprehensive schools of Chinese martial arts.

The transmission of Shaolin kungfu strictly follows the master-disciple system, continuing the patriarchal lineage system established in the 13th century. To this day, it has been passed down through over 30 generations. Its system is incredibly rich, with the Shaolin Temple martial arts manual recording a total of 708 sets of routines, covering fist techniques, weapons, and various forms of combat, showcasing the vast depth of Chinese martial arts.

This ancient tradition is now making its way to the world with an innovative flair. At the opening ceremony of the 2025 Qingdao International Beer Festival, the Zhengzhou martial arts performance Wu Ying Songshan made a stunning debut. Set against the backdrop of Mount Song's lights and shadows, the performance created a flowing martial arts landscape painting. Dressed in ancient attire with conical hats, the martial artists displayed powerful force and graceful movement, fully embodying the grandeur of Chinese martial arts. Director Yue Lei stated that the performance blends traditional martial arts with a modern martial hero aesthetic, appealing to younger audiences and breathing new life into kungfu.

From the ancient temple to the international stage, Zhengzhou kungfu is shining with renewed brilliance, balancing tradition and innovation. As a national intangible cultural heritage, Shaolin kungfu not only preserves the traditional master-disciple lineage but also, through innovative expressions like Wu Ying Songshan, brings centuries-old martial arts into modern life, continuously writing a new cultural chapter.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Li Siyao