Shaolin Temple is located at Dengfeng County, Henan Province. It is the birthplace of Buddhisms Chan Sect (Zen) in China as well as the cradle of Chinas Shaolin Wushu (martial arts). In 1983, it was designated as one of national key temples in the areas of the Han nationality.

History

First built in 495 A.D in the Northern Wei Dynasty, Shaolin Temple has a long history. In 527 A. D., Dharma, a famous master monk from India, came here to spread the theory of Zen. Since then, the temple started its expansion, the number of monks in the temple began to increase and Shaolin Temple became more influential. Shaolin Temple is regarded as the origin of Zen while Dharma was considered the founder of Zen in Chinese Buddhism. Since cultivation of Zen requires sitting still facing the wall in a pose of tailor-fashion, which is apt to lead to weariness, monks practice martial arts to drive the fatigue away. Legend has it that it was Dharma who created the Shaolin Martial Arts

Shaolin Kung Fu

ShaoLin Wushu was named after ShaoLin Temple for it originated from the ShaoLin Temple. It is a main school of Chinese Martial Arts and also a treasure of great value in the Chinese Culture.

It is profound, broad, and famous at home and abroad. A Chinese saying goes that all kinds of Kung Fu come up from ShaoLin and the ShaoLin Kung Fu the best". There are more than 80 Kung Fu schools with 35,OOO domestic and international students in Dengfeng City. Dengfeng is a largest center for Wushu education and research in China. Since reform and opening to the outside world, ShaoLin wushu has been spreading abroad and become a friendship link between the Chinese people and other peoples in the world.

Attractions

Shaolin Temple embraces many exciting attractions, such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tianwangdian), the Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian), the Pagoda Forest, the Dharma Cave and the Shaolin Temple Martial Art Training Center. Visitors may follow the virtual guide about the Shaolin Temple.

Travel Tips

Admission Fee: CNY 110 (including CNY 10 for electric bus)
Opening Hours: 08:10 to 17:30
Recommended Time for a Visit: Two Hours

Related Tours:

Chinese Kung Fu Tour