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YunTai Mountain International Culture and Martial Arts School
Our Kung Fu school in China lies at the foot of the Yuntai Mountains in Henan, the home province of the Shaolin Temple, right next to a UNESCO Global Geopark. Here you live, train and eat on one campus, with international and Chinese students, English-speaking Shifus and mountains all around you.
Own campusUNESCO Geopark nearbyFree pickupEnglish-speaking Shifus
2010school founded
1998first international students
4 kmto Yuntaishan town
Freepickup in Zhengzhou
Our Kung Fu school in China
Shaolin Yuntai: one school, one family.
The YunTai Mountain International Culture and Martial Arts School, Shaolin Yuntai for short, was founded in 2010 by our Headmaster Shi Yanlin, a 32nd-generation Shaolin monk. He has taught international students since 1998, back then at the Shaolin Temple. He chose this place in the Yuntai Mountains after a long search: away from the big cities, students can focus fully on their training and rest in nature between the classes.
International and Chinese students live and train on the same campus. You can join the Chinese students for training on request, watch our own performance team train and take part in Chinese culture every day. The school is officially registered as a private non-profit school in Xiuwu County.
Campus and facilities
Everything in one place.
Training areas
Large training yards with a view of the mountains, where you train together with your group and your Shifu.
Sports and free time
Our brand-new football pitch, a basketball court, table tennis and Chinese chess are free for all students.
Dining hall
Three meals a day, with vegetarian and vegan options. More about food and meals.
Buddhist shrine room
A quiet place of Buddhist practice on our campus. A Buddhism class is part of every week. More about Buddhism.
A walk across our campus. Click a photo to enlarge.
- Rooms with private bathroom and air conditioning
- Free Wi-Fi and a shared computer
- Washing machine in your room, dryer on each floor
- School shop for snacks, drinks and everyday items
What makes our school different
Why students come back.
English-speaking ShifusOur masters talk to you directly, without a translator.
Like a familyInternational students are part of the school family. It feels like home.
Respect and supportWe help you get used to the training and to life at the school.
Real Chinese cultureFrom the daily routine to invitations to Chinese weddings.
Life at the school: training, sport and time together.
Where our school is
Yuntai Mountains, Henan, China.
Our school lies in the village of Huitou Shan in Yuntaishan town, Xiuwu County, which belongs to the city of Jiaozuo in Henan province. It sits at the southern foot of the Taihang Mountains, about 4 km by road from Yuntaishan town, the gateway to the Yuntai Mountain scenic area. Henan is the heartland of Chinese martial arts: the Shaolin Temple lies in the same province, and Chenjiagou, the birthplace of Chen-style Tai Chi, belongs to Jiaozuo as well.
| From our school to | Distance by road |
|---|---|
| Yuntaishan town | about 4 km |
| Jiaozuo city centre | about 30 km |
| Chenjiagou (Tai Chi village) | about 75 km |
| Zhengzhou airport (CGO) | about 125 km, around 2 hours |
Distances are approximate. Trips take place regularly, for example to the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu. The destinations are usually chosen together with the students.
“Follow your own path and keep growing quietly.”
Shifu Zhang Shoujun · Meet our masters
The Yuntai Mountain Geopark
Gorges, waterfalls and red rock, right next door.
The Yuntai Mountains are one of the best-known natural landscapes in China. The scenic area covers about 280 square kilometres, holds China’s top rating (AAAAA) and in 2004 was among the first UNESCO Global Geoparks in the world. It is famous for its red quartz sandstone gorges, deep pools and waterfalls, including the Yuntai Sky Waterfall, which drops 314 metres.
Gorges, waterfalls and lakes of the Yuntai Mountain Geopark. Click a photo to enlarge.
Read more: the highlights of the Yuntai Mountains
Red Stone Gorge (Hongshi Xia)
A narrow gorge of red quartz sandstone with waterfalls, pools and steep walls. It owes its name to the colour of the rock and is one of the most photographed places in the park.
Tanpu Gorge
A gorge of pools and small waterfalls, where a stream flows down over natural stone steps of many colours and shapes.
Zhuyu Peak
The highest point of the scenic area, at around 1,300 metres. On clear days, you can see far across the plain towards the Yellow River. According to local tradition, the peak inspired the Tang dynasty poet Wang Wei to write his famous poem about the Double Ninth Festival.
Baijia Crag
Cliffs covered with pines and cypresses, linked with the “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove”, a famous group of scholars from the 3rd century who, according to tradition, lived here.
Macaque Valley
The Yuntai Mountains are home to wild Taihang macaques, which live in large groups on the cliffs.
云台山Did you know?
Yún tái shān means “cloud terrace mountain”. That is why our school is also known as Yuntai Shan or Yuntaishan: all three names stand for the Yuntai Mountains.
Climate and best time to come
Four clear seasons, training all year round.
Spring
Mild, dry and often windy. A great time for training outdoors.
Summer
Hot and rainy. It is also the busiest season, with larger groups.
Autumn
Cool and pleasant, with colourful forests on the mountains.
Winter
Dry and cold. Bring warm clothes, the rooms have air conditioning.
You can start any week of the year. See our packing list.
Getting to our school
We pick you up for free.
Zhengzhou is the nearest big city with an airport, Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO). You can also travel to Zhengzhou by high-speed train, for example from Beijing or Shanghai. We pick you up for free at the airport or train station, at any time of day or night, and bring you to the school.
Free & without obligation
Ready to start your training?
No deposit and no application fee. You only pay after you arrive at the school.
- Start any week
- Invitation letter for your visa
- Free pickup in Zhengzhou
FAQ
Our school and its location: your questions.
Where exactly is the school?
In the village of Huitou Shan, Yuntaishan town, Xiuwu County, Jiaozuo, Henan province, China. The school lies at the foot of the Yuntai Mountains, about 125 km by road from Zhengzhou airport.
Are Shaolin Yuntai and the YunTai Mountain International Culture and Martial Arts School the same?
Yes. Shaolin Yuntai is the short name of the YunTai Mountain International Culture and Martial Arts School. You may also see it written as Yuntai Shan or Yuntaishan International School.
Is the school at the Shaolin Temple?
No. Our school has its own campus in the Yuntai Mountains, in the same province as the Shaolin Temple. Our Headmaster Shi Yanlin is a 32nd-generation Shaolin monk, and trips to the Shaolin Temple take place regularly.
Is the school officially registered?
Yes. The school is registered as a private non-profit school with the Civil Affairs Bureau of Xiuwu County. It registers every international student with the police, as required by Chinese law.
Do international students train with Chinese students?
International and Chinese students live on the same campus. You usually train in groups with other international students, and on request you can also join the Chinese students, which works best for longer stays.
How do I get to the school?
Fly or take the train to Zhengzhou. We pick you up for free at the airport or train station, at any time of day or night. The drive to the school takes about two hours.
Can I visit the Yuntai Mountains?
Yes. The scenic area begins just a few kilometres from our school. Trips take place regularly, and the destinations are usually chosen together with the students. Entrance fees are not included in the price.
What is the best time to come?
You can come all year round. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, summer is hot and busy, and winter is dry and cold, so bring warm clothes.
What facilities does the school have?
Training yards, a dining hall, a Buddhist shrine room, a new football pitch, a basketball court, table tennis, free Wi-Fi, a shared computer and a school shop. All rooms have a private bathroom and air conditioning.