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The Shaolin Worldwide Journal

Shaolin Kung Fu Training: Guides, Schools & Retreats Worldwide

Honest, first-hand guides to training real Shaolin Kung Fu β€” the best schools in China compared, retreats and intensives around the world, real costs, and the culture behind the practice. Written by the team that places students at Shaolin schools year-round.

Latest Shi Yongxin, then abbot of the Shaolin Temple, performing a ceremony in ceremonial robes
CultureAugust 13, 2026 Β· 11 min read

Shi Yongxin and the Rebirth of the Shaolin Temple

Fifty years ago the Shaolin Temple was a half ruined monastery with a handful of elderly monks. Today it is a UNESCO listed site and Shaolin Kung Fu is protected...

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Shi Heng Chuang and Venerable Shi Yan Fan discussing why Shaolin monks shave their heads
CultureAug 12, 2026 Β· 6 min

Why Do Shaolin Monks Shave Their Heads?

The shaved head is not about looking holy. In Chan Buddhism hair is called the three thousand threads of worldly...

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A group training Kung Fu in a courtyard with mountains behind, at a Shaolin camp in China
RetreatsAug 10, 2026 Β· 5 min

Shaolin Training Camps for Foreigners: Every Option Compared (2026)

Camp, retreat or open enrolment school? The real differences, what each costs, how long each runs, and which one suits...

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Shaolin training at the temple, photographed by Tian Ci, aka The Shaolin Disciple
SchoolsAug 9, 2026 Β· 7 min

Can You Train With Shaolin Monks? Who Can Join, What It Costs, How to Apply

Yes, foreigners can train with Shaolin monks, and no experience is needed. The three real levels explained: training as a...

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A Shaolin disciple holding a Kung Fu posture on rocks below Songshan
CultureAug 6, 2026 Β· 11 min

What Is Shaolin Kung Fu? The Complete Guide to Its History, Training and Philosophy

What Shaolin Kung Fu actually is, where it came from, what the training consists of, and how it differs from...

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A Shaolin monk meditating outside the Damo Cave on Songshan, where Bodhidharma is said to have sat for nine years
CultureAug 5, 2026 Β· 12 min

The History of the Shaolin Temple: 1,500 Years, Honestly Told

Founded in 495 CE, burned to the ground in 1928, revived by a Jet Li film, and named a UNESCO...

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Shaolin Worldwide retreat group at Shaolin Yongzhi Academy training grounds, packed and ready to train
RetreatsAug 2, 2026 Β· 6 min

Shaolin Retreat Packing List and Preparation

Packing for a Shaolin retreat is not like packing for a beach holiday or a city break. You are training...

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Students on the glass suspension bridge over Mount Song near the Songshan Shaolin Temple scenic area
SchoolsAug 1, 2026 Β· 9 min

Songshan Shaolin Temple: Visitor and Training Guide

Songshan in Dengfeng is where the Shaolin Temple has stood for over 1,500 years. What the temple actually is, whether...

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Students training Shaolin weapons on a rooftop with Mount Song behind, Dengfeng China
TrainingJul 29, 2026 Β· 6 min

Best Time of Year to Train Kung Fu in China (Season by Season Guide)

April to May and September to October are the sweet spots, but the schools train year-round. The honest season guide...

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