Walk in Shaolin Temple – Henan, China

Shaolin Temple (少林寺) is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Wuru Peak of the Songshan mountain range in Dengfeng County, Henan Province, China.
The name reflects its location in the ancient grove (林) of Mount Shaoshi, in the hinterland of the Songshan mountains.
The temple was first built in the Northern Wei Dynasty (495), and is more than 1,500 years old. It is recognized as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin kung fu.
Shaolin Temple is famous all over the world for its dedicated research and development of Shaolin monks of all generations.
According to legend, Bodhidharma, the 28th patriarch of Mahayana Buddhism in India, arrived at the Shaolin Temple in 527.
He spent nine years meditating in a cave of the Wuru Peak and initiated the Chinese Chan tradition at the Shaolin Temple. Thereafter, Bodhidharma was honored as the first patriarch of Chan Buddhism.
The Temple’s historical architectural complex, standing out for its great aesthetic value and its profound cultural connotations has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Walking through the temple’s ancient gates, visitors are immediately immersed in a world where Buddhist devotion and martial discipline coexist in perfect harmony.
The main hall, flanked by towering incense burners and centuries-old cypress trees, echoes with the rhythmic chanting of monks deep in meditation.
But just beyond the solemn halls, the open courtyards come alive with the swift, precise movements of Shaolin disciples practicing their legendary techniques—powerful punches, acrobatic kicks, and gravity-defying leaps honed through generations of rigorous training.
Among the temple’s most revered landmarks is the Pagoda Forest (塔林), an extraordinary collection of stone stupas housing the remains of past Shaolin masters.
Each pagoda, varying in shape and size, tells a silent story of the monks who dedicated their lives to Buddhism and martial arts.
This sacred burial ground, set against the serene backdrop of Mount Song (嵩山), serves as a reminder of the temple’s enduring legacy.
Shaolin Temple’s influence extends far beyond its temple walls.
Over centuries, the temple became a training ground for warriors, inspiring countless legends of Shaolin monks using their skills to defend their temple and uphold justice.
Even today, martial artists from around the globe journey here to train under Shaolin masters, seeking to master the discipline, strength, and philosophy embedded in every movement.
Chapters:
00:00 Shaolin Temple (少林寺)
09:29 Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿)
27:17 Pagoda Forest (塔林)
33:09 Second Patriarch Temple (二祖庵)
42:43 Songyang Cableway (嵩阳索道)
45:11 Shaolin Kung Fu (少林功夫)