Frequently Asked Questions

No. The foundations — standing meditation, breathing, and the five basic stances — are designed for complete beginners.

What matters more than experience is willingness to practise slowly and consistently. Many of our students came from other traditions; many came with none at all.

Almost certainly not. Gulun Kung Fu is internal kung fu — a quiet mind matters more than an athletic body.

This practice is more suitable for adults than children and is much less physically demanding than most external forms of Shaolin Kung Fu – although as you progress, the training will become more challenging.

Not much. Head teacher Hufei sometimes teaches combat applications, but as Shifu Wu Nanfang puts it: “We practise Chan, not Chuan.” Zen, not fighting.

If fighting is your priority, this isn’t the right school.

Not as part of the offiicial training, although the regular practice does demand a certain degree of leg strength.

The students typically train an hour of conditioning work – flexibility, running, balance, strength training – in the early mornings to complement the regular training.

Gulun Kung Fu shares the slow, internal quality of tai chi and the health benefits of qigong, but its lineage and system are distinct.

It comes directly from the Shaolin tradition — the birthplace of Chan Buddhism. Tai chi is a Taoist practice.

Gulun Kung Fu is relatively more compact and each movement flows from relaxation to tension, which is different from tai chi, which is largely all about relaxation.

Most Shaolin content online shows external Shaolin — fast, athletic, acrobatic, performance-oriented. Gulun Kung Fu is internal Shaolin. Slow, spiralling, meditative. The movements come from the dantian and flow outward. Both traditions are legitimate; they’re simply different branches with different aims.

You don’t have to stay at the academy. There are three main options students choose from:

The academy rooms — included in the standard fee

The academy rooms — included in the standard fee

A nearby hotel with private single rooms, 20 minutes’ walk away (3,500–4,000 yuan/month)

A nearby hotel with private single rooms, 20 minutes’ walk away (3,500–4,000 yuan/month)

An apartment building 3.5km away ranging from 300 yuan per day to 2800 yuan per month for beautiful, fully kitted apartments

An apartment building 3.5km away ranging from 300 yuan per day to 2800 yuan per month for beautiful, fully kitted apartments

Photos and full rates: Life in China .

Rooms are clean, modern dormitories for a maximum of four people.

In practice it would be unusual for there to be more than two others in your room. Often you’ll have it to yourself.

Yes. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning and hot water. Wifi is available.

Full pre-departure checklist: Life in China .

The school is a 90-minute taxi ride from Zhengzhou Airport. Fly into Zhengzhou via a major Chinese city, or consider flying to Wuhan and taking a train.

Book your taxi via Didi or Amap using this address: 会善寺西800米路北800米古轮禅院. The fare is around 200 yuan plus a 50 yuan road toll.

Full logistics guide: Life in China .

Depends on length of stay:

Under 30 days: tourist visa (L visa), or visa-free entry if your nationality qualifies

Under 30 days: tourist visa (L visa), or visa-free entry if your nationality qualifies

One to six months: study visa (X2)

One to six months: study visa (X2)

For long-term stays, you can leave and re-enter on a new visa — no restrictions on doing this.

The school can support X2 study visa applications (up to 6 months), which you can renew by reapplying. It cannot currently process one-year X1 study visas.

Not all embassies accept kung fu schools for X2 visas — Britain, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Taiwan have all worked; Hong Kong has not.

Email Li Juan at wugulunacademy@hotmail.com to start the invitation letter process.

Full visa application details: Life in China .

Foreign websites — Google, Instagram, Facebook, and possibly your bank — are blocked inside China. A VPN lets you access them normally.

Download one before you arrive, because VPN download sites are themselves blocked once you’re in the country. Let’s VPN, Ladder VPN, and Roo VPN are reliable. Avoid ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Everyone in China pays via QR code through WeChat or Alipay. Foreign bank cards don’t work for most in-person payments.

Before arriving: download both apps, link your bank card (Wise and Revolut work smoothly; notify old-school banks about China travel first), and set up passport verification.

ATMs accept foreign cards if you need cash.

Full pre-departure money checklist: Life in China .

Essentials: WeChat (messaging + payment), Alipay (payment + bookings), Amap (maps and taxis), Didi (ride-hailing).

Translation: Youdao Translator (Apple) and Microsoft Translator don’t need a VPN. Google Translate is good for bankup.

Useful: Taobao (Chinese Amazon), Tap Translate.

Download all of them before flying — some require SMS verification that’s easier from home.

For more details:: Life in China .

Yes. China is substantially safer than most of Europe — very low crime, little drunkenness, no aggressive street culture.

Foreigners are generally welcomed warmly rather than taken advantage of; people are more likely to refuse payment than overcharge. Dengfeng and Songshan are quiet, rural, and friendly.