Traditional Tai Chi & Kung Fu Training Week in Rural China

Each day follows the same rhythm: breakfast at 7:50, then a 9am session on traditional Chinese culture (Taoist philosophy, TCM meridian theory, the principles behind why Tai Chi works), followed by a 10:10–11:30 martial arts class. After lunch you have the afternoon free until a short Chinese language session at 3pm, then another martial arts class from 4:10–6pm. Dinner is at 6:30, and lights-out is at 9:30pm — this is a training camp, not a holiday resort, and the early bedtime reflects that.

The martial arts training covers both Tai Chi and Liuhe Quan. Tai Chi here is Chen-style, the oldest and most martially focused of the main Tai Chi families — it includes fast movements, stamps, and explosive releases alongside the slow flowing sections you might expect. Liuhe Quan ('Six Harmonies Boxing') is a rarer style that Shifu Shen's family has passed down for generations; it emphasises whole-body coordination and practical fighting applications.

You'll also learn pushing hands (tuishou), the partner practice that trains you to feel and redirect an opponent's force. This is where Tai Chi's combat principles — 'conquering the unyielding with the yielding', borrowing your opponent's strength — get tested in real time against another person.

The location has changed recently — earlier groups trained in the mountains, but the school has moved to Dayang Ancient Town, which past guests describe as 'a great place' with a 'top notch' hotel. The town itself offers tea rooms, traditional dance classes, and the simple pleasure of wandering old streets between training sessions.

Included excursions take you to Longhu Mountain's scenic spots and Wu Mosquito Village, a rural community known for its traditional practices and quiet pace of life. These trips aren't just sightseeing — they're framed as context for understanding the culture that produced these martial arts.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in a private room - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Daily martial arts training (Tai Chi and Liuhe Quan) - Traditional Chinese culture classes - Nature hikes with guide - Excursions to Longhu Mountain and local sites - Free entry to Longhushan Scenic Area - WiFi connection - Teacher training course

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Airport transfers (available for €103 return) - Additional spa treatments - Activities not listed in the itinerary - Personal expenses