what’s Kung Fu? A Beginner’s Guide to Chinese Martial Arts
Kung Fu (功夫) literally means “skill achieved through hard work.” It can refer to any skill — a master chef has kung fu in the kitchen. But in the West, it means Chinese martial arts, and honestly, that’s close enough. Absolutely worth it. Absolutely worth it.
Not One Style, but Hundreds
Most people think kung fu is a single thing. It’s not. There are hundreds of styles, broadly grouped into external (waijia) and internal (neijia).
External styles focus on speed, power, and physical conditioning. Shaolin is the most famous — it’s what you see in movies, with athletic kicks and acrobatic moves. Wing Chun is more direct and efficient, designed for close-range combat. Hung Gar emphasizes strong stances and powerful arm movements.
From what I’ve seen, this is the real deal.
From what I’ve seen, this is the real deal.
Internal styles focus on breath, intention, and internal energy (qi). Tai Chi (Taijiquan) is the best-known — those slow, flowing movements you see people doing in parks. It’s a martial art, not just exercise, but most people practice it for health. Baguazhang and Xingyiquan are lesser-known but equally deep.
Here’s why that matters.
Here’s why that matters.
The Philosophy Behind the Moves
Kung fu isn’t just physical. Most styles are deeply connected to Chinese philosophy. Shaolin is rooted in Chan (Zen) Buddhism. Tai Chi draws from Daoist concepts of balance and flow. The idea isn’t just to learn how to fight — it’s to develop discipline, patience, and self-awareness through physical practice.
That might sound like marketing talk. But spend a few months training and you’ll notice the change. The physical part is just the vehicle.
Getting Started
You can learn kung fu anywhere in the world now, but if you’re in China, the experience is different. Shaolin Temple in Henan offers training programs for foreigners — from a few days to several years. Wudang Mountain in Hubei is the place for internal styles. Both are touristy but authentic.
Outside China, look for a school that emphasizes basics and conditioning over flashy moves. A good teacher will have you doing the same punch for months before moving on. That’s not boredom — that’s building real kung fu.
It’s honestly incredible.
To be honest, I was skeptical at first.