One week: what schools publish

Most residential schools charge one price for training, a bed and three meals. In Qufu, Shandong, the Qufu Shaolin Kung Fu School lists US$360 for one week and US$600 for two, with weekday training, a bed in a two-person room and an English translator.

In Dengfeng, near the Shaolin Temple, Xiaolong lists US$380 for one week, with training six days a week, a twin room with its own bathroom and English translation. Both schools add a one-off US$100 application fee.

In the Wudang Mountains, Master Tang’s academy lists a seven-day qigong course at RMB 3,800 in a double room or RMB 4,800 in a single, and a seven-day taijiquan introduction at RMB 5,800 or RMB 6,800. The Wudang Daoist Traditional Kungfu Academy charges RMB 1,050 a day for a one-week stay in a single room.

Booking platforms list packages too. On BookRetreats, a seven-day programme at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center in Shexian, Hebei, was listed from US$520 in a shared room. Platform prices change, so check the listing itself.

A month or longer

Monthly rates fall the longer you stay. Qufu lists US$810 for one month and US$450 a month for a twelve-month stay. Xiaolong lists US$900 for one month and US$700 a month over a year.

At Wudang, Master Tang’s academy lists RMB 9,800 a month in a double room or RMB 12,000 in a single. The Wudang Daoist Traditional Kungfu Academy lists RMB 13,590 for one month in a single room.

Costs that are not in the course price

Flights, visa fees, travel insurance and personal spending are extra at every school listed here. Qufu and Xiaolong both list a visa extension of about US$45 as an extra for longer stays.

Expect a deposit. The Wudang Daoist Traditional Kungfu Academy asks for 300 EUR or USD to reserve a place. Master Tang’s academy takes a non-refundable RMB 1,000 booking deposit, deducted from tuition, and a refundable RMB 500 room deposit on arrival.

Training clothes, shoes and weapons are usually your own cost. Master Tang’s academy lists uniforms and training weapons as extras.

How to compare two quotes

Compare the same number of nights, the same room type and the same training days per week. Qufu trains five days a week and Xiaolong six, so a similar weekly price buys a different amount of instruction.

Ask each school for a written total that names the room, meals, translation, transfers and cancellation terms. If you would like us to collect quotes in Chinese for you, use our planning form.

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