Faculty Information:
The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.
— Master Gichin Funakoshi.

Other Activities:
Post Tours: May 20-24, 2008 (at additional cost)

*Option 1: Yangtze River 5 star Cruise
The highlights of Three Gorges Cruise include stretches of majestic cliffs and spectacular scenery of the fast changing topography of the Yangtze River along with ancient towns and remote villages, affording an opportunity to see life as it is lived in the heartland of the world's most populous nation. You will visit the world's largest dam project, which will eventually bring many changes to this dynamic region.

Option 2: Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Fly to Huangshan for 3 days of training and exploring. Stay at Yellow Mountain West Sea Hotel. (B,L,D). Visit to Hongcun Village, a world cultural heritage site. The Oscar-awarded movie" Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon" was filmed there. Then we drive to the foothill of Huangshan Mountain and take the Yungu Cable Car up the mountain. Train at Huangshan. and explore the breathtaking Grand Canyon. Visit downtown famous "Old Street" and more (B,L,D daily).

Facility Information:
Shaolin Temple. Study martial arts at the temple where it all began
Songshan, China.

China’s ancient Shaolin Temple where kung fu was allegedly born is probably the most famous Buddhist Temple in the Western world. It’s where Kwai Chang Caine, or “Grasshopper”, played by David Carradine in the TV series Kung Fu, studied the lessons taught by Master Po and Master Kan. It’s also where four-time national martial arts champion Jet Li filmed mainland China’s first kung fu hit. According to conspiracy theorists, martial arts icon Bruce Lee, who lived to be only 32, was murdered for revealing some of Shaolin’s 1,500-year-old secrets.

You can take your pick of how the fame started. The official story places the origins of the Shaolin tradition in the sixth century, when a Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma, noticing his new charges were in ill health and unable to devote themselves to the physical rigors of contemplative practice, began offering the physical drills that are said to be the basis of kung fu. It’s still actively practiced by the monks, who combine the martial art with Zen Buddhism practice.

But as to when everybody began, as the song says, “kung fu fighting,” you need to look back a few thousand martial arts movies to “Shaolin Temple,” featuring the Chinese kung fu star Jet Li Li borrowed as his plot the Shaolin Temple’s most famous legend, the one about 13 monks who rescued the Tang emperor from a vicious warlord.

For a while, anyone vaguely familiar with Chinese martial arts could hang up a shingle and claim to be a Shaolin kung fu school. But the monks recently persuaded the Chinese government to declare the 170-movement practice a recognized brand, which protected it under rules of the World Trade Organization.

Today, the world’s most famous Buddhist temple is home to more than four dozen wu shu (martial arts) schools. Although the Chinese government recently razed the schools’ former buildings that lined the road leading to the temple, the schools themselves were relocated to nearby DengFeng, where monks and their apprentices still dispense daily lessons in kung fu.

Foreigners are invited to join in the fun, although calling it “fun” might be stretching it. The lessons can be rigorous and the true life of Shaolin is simple and austere, alternating the swinging arms and breaking boards with meditation and chanting prayer.

Tagou School of Martial Arts, the largest of the 50 or so schools, trains 10,000 students, many of whom are hoping to be the next Jet Li or Jackie Chan. They gather each morning and late afternoon to practice with the famous “fighting monks.”

If you study at Tagou or one of the other DengFeng Shaolin schools, you’ll get your own coach, your own room in the Darma {AU: Dharma?} Hall, and the chance to watch the daily Shaolin demonstrations. Although serious students usually begin their day with a 4:30 a.m. training run (and you are free to join them), the wu shu lessons don’t officially begin until 8:30. You can choose between studying kung fu basics or more advanced weapon forms. There are also lessons in tai chi, qi gong, and other martial arts.

Although it’s possible to show up at Shaolin and sign up for classes, it’s probably best to book a trip before you leave. Joy Dupont, a former United Nations employee, organizes ten-day trips to Shaolin Temple to study both martial arts and tai chi. With meals, accommodations, kung fu instruction, and other cultural activities, these trips cost $2,000 to $2,500, depending on the level of accommodation.

Credits and thanks to Pam Grout, Author, from her book - “The 100 Best Worwide Vacations to Enrich Your Life”.
To be published by National Geographic in May 2008.

Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer.  Request a free gift certificate.

Notes:
Includes:
- Daily Taiji with Dr Love
- 4 Star Hotel Accommodations and Taxes (except in Shaolin - Tagou School Guesthouse)
- 3 Chinese meals daily
- Training fees and Certificate
- English speaking guide, transfers, tours
- China domestic airfare, trainfare, taxes.

Not Included:
- International Airfare
- Personal expenses
- Tips to drivers and guide (suggested $10 per day)
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended).

Also see Vacation Schools in:
Sport Camps   Asia   China  

Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend