China and kung fu have been eternally entwined to the point where kung fu is considered to be the Chinese cultural legacy. However, there are two main pools of thought about its origins. On the one hand, there are those who believe kung fu was already in existence long before the great Buddhist monk arrived in China to introduce zen into the Sil Lum temple, whilst others think that this monk, Bodhidharma, was responsible for introducing the martial arts to China. Legends will portray that Bodhidharma engaged his young disciples at the temple in daily exercises to strengthen their minds and bodies, based on techniques found and developed beyond the Himalayas.

Many centuries of war between the different Chinese states prompted the need to learn effective self-defence, and martial arts gained importance among the population. In these early years, practice of the martial arts was at times prohibited but throughout the Han dynasty they flourished before being once again stopped by the Manchurian government of Ching dynasty.

By the first half of the 20th century, martial arts had spread throughout China, and military tactics were being taught in all schools. Respect is the undisputed basis of all Chinese martial arts, and in the teaching of kung fu this is particularly visible. Translated in the literal sense, kung fu means 'a skill or knowledge of something physical' but this skill requires serious and diligent training to perfect. Incorporating techniques from many disciplines, it is not only a system of self-defence but it promotes health and physical well-being.

From early on, the Chinese studied the fighting methods of some animals which, when adapted, would form the basis of a martial arts system. In general, kung fu techniques centre around five animals for the development of specific skills. The crane for balance, the dragon for spirit and agility, the leopard for strength, the tiger for bone, and the snake for internal power and ability to strike at vital points of the body.