Martial art training at the training hall of Jingmei Village, Jiangmen

At dawn, guttural shouts—“Yik! Dak! Waa!”—slice through the mist in the training hall of Jingmei Village, Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province. For 189 years, these battle cries have echoed from Jingmei’s Qing Dynasty courtyards, the birthplace of Choy Li Fut (蔡李佛拳), a martial art now practiced by over 10 million people across more than 50 countries and regions.

Three Masters, One Legacy

Martial art practitioners in Jingmei Village

In 1836, martial artist Chen Xiang did the unthinkable. After mastering three distinct styles of boxing—Choy Gar’s palm strikes from hermit monk Cai Fu, Li Gar’s footwork from Li Youshan, and the Buddhist fist techniques of his uncle Chen Yuanhu—he fused them into a revolutionary system.

The technical system encompasses over 40 fist forms and more than 100 weapon routines. Renowned for its animal-imitating styles—dragon, snake, tiger, leopard, and crane—the art integrates distinctive power-generating shouts ("Yee! Ha! Wah! Dee! Bock!") to amplify force during combat. Uniquely blending kicking techniques in northern China with hand strikes in southern China, this approach merges practicality and artistic expression.

But Chen’s genius lay beyond technique. Defying tradition, he named the art not after himself but his teachers: Choy-Li-Fut. “This was his rebellion against ego,” said Chen Yongjian, the fifth-generation descendant of founder Chen Xiang and an overseas Chinese from Belize.

Chen Xiang’s influence stretched far beyond the training hall. He armed anti-opium militias for Qing official Lin Zexu, trained Taiping Rebellion fighters. After the Opium War, Chen Xiang went to Hong Kong and later traveled across Southeast Asia and the United States. Wherever he went, Choy Li Fut gained global recognition, taking root in communities worldwide.

In China, there is an old saying: “Northern China is renowned for Taiji, while Southern China is celebrated for Choy Li Fut (北有太极，南有蔡李佛).” Choy Li Fut Kung Fu embodies the legacy of Chinese martial culture and serves as a global bridge, uniting practitioners worldwide through its inclusive traditions.

Jingmei Village, a living museum of Choy Li Fut Kung Fu

The Jingmei Village, Yamen Town, Jiangmen City (photo provided by Yamen Town)

Jingmei Village boasts profound cultural heritage as the birthplace of Choy Li Fut Kung Fu which has been recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in China.

The village preserves historical structures listed as immovable cultural relics, including Hong Sheng Ancestral Hall (洪圣始祖馆), Kang Wang Temple (康王庙), Chen Xiang's Former Residence (陈享故居), Ming Dynasty watchtower (明代碉楼), Qing Dynasty ancestral halls (清代祠堂).

The Chu Shen Ru Hua Lane  (photo provided by Yamen Town)

To develop tourism with the theme of martial art, the village revitalized its alleyways with the Chu Shen Ru Hua Lane (出神入化巷) and Mei Hua San Nong Lane (梅花三弄巷). The Chu Shen Ru Hua Lane transforms every wall into a window revealing the profound philosophy of Choy Li Fut.

The Mei Hua San Nong Lane unfolds like an ink-wash scroll on Jingmei Village's origin: survivors of the Song Dynasty's epic Battle of Yamen (1279) rooted themselves here, naming their shelter "Jingmei" (京梅)—eternalizing the imperial plum blossom as a symbol of resilience.

Choy Li Fut's global disciples return to Jingmei every year

International martial art competition held in Jingmei Village (photo by Liu Yunyao)

Today, Choy Li Fut Kung Fu flourishes across over 100 countries and regions worldwide. The tenth day of the seventh lunar month (typically occurring in August or September) holds profound significance for all practitioners, marking the birth anniversary of founder Chen Xiang.

In Jingmei Village, the birthplace of the art, grand celebrations now unfold annually, including the Choy Li Fut International Lion Dance Championship, global martial arts exchanges, and commemorative ceremonies honoring Master Chen.

Witnessing overseas disciples journey back to their cultural roots during these events never fails to move Chen Yongjian deeply. Each year at this time, representatives from schools worldwide gather at Chan’s former residence and the Hong Sheng Ancestral Hall to showcase their skills, exchanging techniques and strengthening bonds through spirited yet respectful camaraderie. These events also attract a large number of tourists to the ancient village.

Reported by Yin Juewen