Every major Kung Fu style explained

Kung Fu Basics: A Quick Tour of the Major Styles (Perfect for Total Beginners!)

Have you ever watched a Jackie Chan or Jet Li movie and thought, “Whoa, that looks cool—but what are they actually doing?”

You are not alone. Kung Fu isn't just one thing; it's a huge family of Chinese martial arts with dozens of different styles. Each one has its own distinct balance, moves, history, and purpose. Some of these were for fighting, some were for health, and some were inspired by animals.

1. Shaolin Kung Fu (The Classic Starting Point)

The legend behind Shaolin Kung Fu is that it started about 1,500 years ago at the famous Shaolin Monastery in China, where monks mixed fighting training with Zen Buddhist meditation and calm mind practices.

What it looks like: Big, strong stances (wide feet for balance), powerful kicks, unique punches and heavy palm strikes.
Why it's special: There are over 1,000 different forms (sets of moves)! It's super varied and over the years it has influenced tons of other martial art styles.

2. Wing Chun (Fast and Super Close-Up Fighting)

This Kung Fu style is great for smaller people who need quick, no-nonsense self-defense.

History in a nutshell: A woman named Yim Wing Chun learned it from a Shaolin nun about 300 years ago. Later, teacher Ip Man (and his student Bruce Lee) made it world-famous.
Key ideas: Fight close to your opponent, control the center line of their body, punch fast in chains, and use their own force against them.
What stands out: Rapid hand techniques, sticky arms (feeling where the force is going then redirecting attacks), simple and efficient footwork that gets you out of harms way by using angles..
Wing Chun players like playing defense and offense at the same time.

3. Tai Chi (The Slow, Flowy One for Health)

You’ve probably seen older people in parks doing slow, graceful movements—that’s usually Tai Chi!

Origins: Legends say a Taoist sage created it centuries ago Tai Chi stayed secret in families for a long time. Now millions practice it worldwide.
Main focus: Slow, smooth motions, deep breathing, and moving energy (called “qi” or “chi”) through your body. It’s great for balance, relaxation, and flexibility. You stay healthy as you age.
Cool philosophy: Instead of meeting force with force, you redirect it softly. Tai Chi uses the opponent’s push to throw them off balance.
Start here if you need something gentle. It will still build real skill over time.

4. Northern Praying Mantis (Insect-Inspired Speed)

Inspired by watching a praying mantis fight a bigger insect!

Who started it: A martial artist named Wong Lang during the Ming Dynasty.
Signature move: Quick hooks with fingers (like a mantis grabbing). Mantis also has fast arm and leg strikes, tricky footwork (some borrowed from Monkey style).
What it feels like: Agile, whip-like, and full of surprises, This style is rare. It's a good mix of speed and power.

5. Baguazhang (Walking in Circles)

One of the “internal” styles (like Tai Chi), focused on energy and flow.

Creator: Dong Haichuan in the 1800s.
Standout feature: You walk in circles while changing direction smoothly. This style is great for dodging multiple attackers.
Moves: Palms, elbows, throws, locks. This style is fluid and balanced, rooted in Taoist ideas of harmony.
If you are a fan of the anime "The Last Airbender", then you know this was the character Aang's first style of fighting

6. Xingyiquan (Straight-Line Power)

Another internal style, but more direct and aggressive.

Key point: Oldest of the big three internal arts.
How it works: Linear (straight ahead) attacks, strong body alignment, explosive power from your core. Uses five basic movements to end fights quickly.

7. Bajiquan (Explosive Close-Range Power)

Nicknamed the “Bodyguard Style” because it trained guards for emperors and leaders.

Where it's from: Hebei Province.
Signature: Short, shocking bursts of power—elbows, shoulders, hips, knees slamming in close.
Feel: Like a sudden explosion right next to someone—very practical for real fights.
In this style your whole body is a weapon.

8. Sanda (Modern Chinese Kickboxing)

This is the sporty, full-contact version. Think MMA but with Chinese rules.

Background: Developed by the Chinese military; mixes old Kung Fu with modern fighting.
Allowed: Punches, kicks, throws, sweeps, some grappling. Unlike MMA the rules of Sanda do not permit Ground wrestling. After a person is swept the referee will stand the fighters back up.
Why try it: Great if you want to spar safely and test techniques in a real way.

9. Animal Forms (The Fun, Imitation Styles)

Many Kung Fu styles copy animals to teach specific qualities.

Tiger: Raw power, clawing strikes, charging force.
Leopard: Lightning speed, precise hits to weak spots.
Crane: Graceful dodging, quick pecks with fingers/beak hand.
Snake: Slippery coiling, fast finger strikes to pressure points.
Dragon: Mixes everything—fluid, powerful, unpredictable.

These animal ideas often show up inside other styles (especially Shaolin ones).

Kung Fu is huge—there are hundreds of styles

If one style grabs you—maybe the slow flow of Tai Chi for calm, the speed of Wing Chun for self-defense look up a local class and give it a try.

Hint: At our school, the Las Vegas Kung Fu Academy, we teach Shaolin, Tai Chi and Wing Chun!

If you are in the Las Vegas Metro Area, we would love to have you as a student! Or if you ever visit Las Vegas we love when out of towners come for a free class.

Ask for me, Instructor Kevin