Chinese martial arts have many schools: Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, Wing Chun and Tai Chi each have their character.
Shaolin: in Dengfeng, Henan - "all martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin"; the shows are spectacular and nearby schools offer short courses.
Tai Chi: soft yet powerful; elders practise in parks every morning; Chenjiagou (Henan) is the birthplace of Chen-style.
Wing Chun: famous worldwide from the film Ip Man; Foshan is Ye Wen (Ip Man) hometown with a memorial hall and gyms.
Wudang Mountain: in Shiyan, Hubei - Taoist mountain and Wudang martial arts, birthplace of the Tai Chi legend.
Try: Shaolin kung fu shows, a 1-3 day Chenjiagou Tai Chi class, or Foshan Wing Chun sessions - foreigner-friendly with English.
Background: kung fu is not just fighting - it values "martial virtue" and body-mind cultivation; Crouching Tiger helps you see the aesthetics.
