Shaolin Kungfu (Shaolin Martial Art) is one of the most
influential genres of Chinese martial arts, and it's named after where it
originated -- the Shaolin Temple, founded in 495 AD on the Songshan Mountain in
Dengfeng County, Henan Province in Central China. The monks in the Shaolin
Temple began to study martial arts during the Northern and Southern Dynasties
(420-581) and this tradition prevailed during the Sui and Tang dynasties
(581-907).
Shaolin Kungfu is famous both at home and abroad as a highly-effective method of self-defense and building health. It has quiet internal side and a mighty external side. Combining external and internal, "hard" and "soft" exercises, Shaolin Kungfu involves various methods of fighting techniques, consisting of barehanded boxing and weaponry combat.