Kung fu is well known in the Chinese history. Over its long history it has developed as a unique combination of exercise, practical self-defense, self-discipline and art. Many people believe that Kung fu is a term which describes a single martial art, like Taekwondo, Judo, or Aikido. Actually, Kung fu is a general term which includes hundreds of styles of Chinese martial arts. Kung fu styles are various, such as Long Fist, Eagle Claw, and Taiji Quan.

Chinese Kung fu is a precious treasure that belongs not only to China but to the whole world. Anyone who has seen classical Chinese Kung Fu movies will be deeply impressed by the Chinese Wushu, which is called Kung Fu or Chinese martial arts in the west.

In China today, Wushu is the preferred word to describe Chinese Martial Arts. The word Kung Fu was first used by a western Jesuit Missionary named Pere Amoit after witnessing exercises and training regimen in China. He called it “Cong Fou” in his personal journals. The term “Kuo-Shu” was popular in China until about 1930. This term has since been popularized by the Taiwanese Government to describe Chinese Martial Arts.

Chinese Martial Arts known as Chinese Kung-fu by most foreigners is a traditional Chinese physical activity with thousands of years of history. As a precious element of China’s cultural heritage, Chinese Kung fu has also won its name all around the world for its broad and deep meanings and its Oriental features, which cover it with a mysterious veil.

The origin of Chinese Kung fu, according to some historical records and antique discoveries, can be dated back even to prehistoric times. Survival back then meant scrambling to take or protect food from others and animals. Kicking, boxing and blocking were a part of daily life. In the later primitive societies these skills began to appear at ceremonial rituals where they were combined with dance to represent their heroes, thus forming the earliest series of Kong-fu moves and performances.