Shaolin Mountain Wellness Bootcamp: 10-Day Kung Fu, Qigong & Tai Chi Retreat in Guangzhou, China

The retreat takes place in Conghua, a mountainous district of Guangzhou in southern China, at a mountain hotel the operators describe as peaceful, surrounded by pristine nature, and designed for rest and reflection. You choose between a shared room or a private room — both come with the same access to everything else. The hotel has WiFi. Weather in March can vary, so layers are recommended.

Training runs across six practices. Kung fu sessions are the most physical — sharp, direct movement work aimed at building power and confidence. Qigong is breath and flow work, done first thing in the morning to wake up your energy. Tai chi is slow and precise, twice a day in the standard schedule. Meditation is guided and sits alongside teaching in Shaolin philosophy. Stretching sessions target tight areas and work on mobility. And tea ceremony — which Pei Li leads, along with incense ceremony and calligraphy — is treated as a formal practice of its own, not a break.

What separates this from a general martial arts holiday is the instruction. Shi Yan Can has spent the last 15+ years teaching these practices to modern students across three continents and is fluent in both English and Mandarin. He demonstrates movements but also explains why each one is done, which the operators argue is what makes the practices stick after you leave rather than just being a week of exercise. Pei Li is described as a rare female master in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her work covers TCM, women's qigong addressing hormonal balance and energy restoration, and the ceremonial and calligraphic side of the programme.

The group is deliberately kept small. There's no stated maximum number, but the page is clear that enrollment is capped to make sure Shi Yan Can can personally correct form and give each participant attention — they describe it as the same level of personal instruction he gives to high-profile private students. Once registration fills, it closes.

A typical day looks like this: qigong at 6:00, breakfast at 7:30, kung fu at 9:00, tai chi at 10:30, lunch at noon, an afternoon block at 2:30 that rotates between kung fu, stretching, and tea, another tai chi session at 4:00, dinner at 6:00, free time from 7:00 to 9:00, and bedtime at 9:30. March 22nd is a full rest day for resting or exploring Guangzhou. Sessions adapt to your energy on the day.

On the practical side, airport pickup and drop-off from Guangzhou BaiYun International Airport (CAN) is included, as are all meals, all training, and an official invitation letter to support your visa application. International flights, visa application fees, and personal travel insurance are not included. Payment is a one-time amount covering the whole 10 days — there are no additional costs on site.

What's included

- 10 nights accommodation in a mountain hotel in Conghua (shared or private room) - 3 vegetarian meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - All training sessions: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Qigong, meditation, and Shaolin philosophy - Traditional Chinese tea ceremonies - Airport pickup and drop-off at Guangzhou BaiYun International Airport (CAN) - Official invitation letter for visa support - All training gear and materials - WiFi at the hotel

What's not included

- International flights - Visa application fees - Personal travel insurance - Personal expenses - Any additional excursions or meals outside the programme