Wushu (also known as Chinese Kung-fu or martial arts) is one of the most well known examples of traditional Chinese culture. It is a sport which utilizes both brawn and brain. It is probably one of the earliest and longest lasting sports which utilize both brawn and brain.

Literally, wu means military while shu means art, thus Wushu the art of fighting or martial arts. Wushu is an impo...[Full]

Wushu (also known as Chinese Kung-fu or martial arts) is one of the most well known examples of traditional Chinese culture. It is a sport which utilizes both brawn and brain. It is probably one of the earliest and longest lasting sports which utilize both brawn and brain.

Literally, wu means military while shu means art, thus Wushu the art of fighting or martial arts. Wushu is an important and unique component of Chinese cultural heritage with centuries of cultural history attached. Wushu not only includes physical exercise but also Chinese philosophy, meditation and aesthetics.

Wushu enjoys a long history and great popularity in China. It has developed as a unique combination of exercise, practical self-defense, self-discipline and art.

As a precious element of China's cultural heritage, Chinese Kung-fu has also won its name all around the world for its broad and deep meanings and its Oriental features, which cover it with a mysterious veil. Wushu is captivating the attention of more and more people in other nations.

In Chinese Kung fu, a distinction is made between "external" and "internal" kung fu. It is said that "In external kung fu, you exercise your tendons, bones, and skin; in internal kung fu, you train your spirit your qi, and your mind." 

The theory of Wushu is based upon classical Chinese philosophy, while the skills of Wushu consist of various forms of fighting: fist fights, weapon fights, and other fighting routines (including such offence and defence acts as kicking, hitting, throwing, holding, chopping and thrusting) and unarmed combats.

Wushu is not only a sporting exercise but also an artistic form. It is used to cure illness as well as for self-defence and is a comprehensive form of culture of the human body.

In the past, Wushu was developed for the sake of military prowess and physical well being. Wushu was seen as crucial to a soldier's survival in the time of hand -to -hand combat. Today, military function has faded and it has been organized and systematized into a formal branch of study in the performance arts by the Chinese, while it's physical welfare and athletic functions become dominant. Hence Wushu is popular among the whole nation of China, practiced by men and women, young and old alike. Today many people practice Wushu to pursue health, defense skills, mental discipline, entertainment and competition.

Wushu can be practiced solo, paired or as a group, barehanded or armed with ancient Chinese weapons. In centuries past, Wushu developed into many systems and styles. The most famous systems include Shaolin Temple system and Wudang Mountain System. Only the Shaolin system has hundreds of styles. Among the many styles are Chang quan (long fist), Nan quan (southern fist), Taiji quan (shadow boxing or supreme ultimate fist), Xingyi quan (mind fist), Baqua quan (eight directions fist). The former two belong to the external style which emphasizes physical strength and abilities while the latter three belong to the internal style that depends upon internal power-qi. The ancient weaponry of Chinese Wushu consists of many represented by 18 named weapons.

As one of the earliest and long-lasting sports, Wushu has developed its own characteristics over time. Recently, Chinese Wushu has been modernized. Training and competing standard systems have been set up. Continuing its fighting function, Wushu becomes a more athletic and aesthetic performance and competitive sport.

Wushu is now to be a sport of the Olympic Games soon[Close]

Wushu (also known as Chinese Kung-fu or martial arts) is one of the most well known examples of traditional Chinese culture. It is a sport which utilizes both brawn and brain. It is probably one of the earliest and longest lasting sports which utilize both brawn and brain.

Literally, wu means military while shu means art, thus Wushu the art of fighting or martial arts. Wushu is an impo...[Full]