Maling Shaolin Kung Fu Academy

Maling has more verified student accounts than almost any other kung fu school in China — reviews spanning from 2015 to 2026, from students who stayed one week to students who stayed a year, from complete beginners to experienced fighters, from teenagers to a 73-year-old learning Tai Chi for the first time. The consistency across all of them is striking.

The school is run by Master Bao, a 32nd-generation Shaolin Warrior Monk who began training at age seven or eight and went to the Shaolin Temple. He has over 15 years of teaching experience. His mother cooks all meals. His wife teaches Mandarin and handles much of the student support. Lisa, the school's translator and coordinator, is permanently available via WeChat and in person.

This is a family operation in the most literal sense.

Location

Maling is located in Jiangsu Province — not in the Shaolin heartland of Henan, but in a rural area near Xinyi city, surrounded by farmland, natural lakes, and a mountain forest park. The nearest city, Xinyi, is accessible by tuktuk or taxi and has malls, restaurants, and all modern conveniences. The village nearby provides a more authentic look at rural Chinese life.

The school arranges pickup from Xinyi Railway Station.

Training

Training runs approximately 6 hours per day and covers Northern Shaolin forms, Tai Chi (including Chen style), Wing Chun, Sanda (Chinese kickboxing), Qigong, power training, stamina training, conditioning, and weapons. Acrobatics — breakfalls, cartwheels, butterfly and tornado kicks, flips — are also part of the curriculum.

Weekly Mandarin classes are available and popular with students.

Training groups are small — a maximum of around 9 students per group during normal periods, with 8–20 students total at the school depending on season.

What the training actually feels like, according to students who have been there:

One student who arrived overweight and unfit lost 14 kilograms in three months. Another lost over 10 kilograms in 10 weeks. A 73-year-old completed the full 18-step Chen Tai Chi form in two weeks. A student with Type 1 diabetes reported significant health improvements and the healing of chronic knee pain after 12 weeks.

Multiple students describe the first week as the hardest, with the body adapting quickly afterward. The training is demanding but adaptable — masters meet students at their level and push from there.

Master Bao's phrase, repeated by students across years of reviews: "Stronger your mind."

Food

Mama Bao's cooking is mentioned in nearly every review. Described variously as the best food students have eaten in China, the best food of their lives, and something they dream about after leaving.

Meals are fresh, nutritious, and home-cooked daily. Vegetables are grown in the academy's own garden. Halal, vegan, low-fat, and non-spicy options are available. Food is rice-based — students who need additional calories during intense training are advised to bring protein supplements.

Breakfast is simple (porridge, eggs, bread) and students buy their own toppings.

Accommodation

Rooms are available in single or double configurations with shared bathrooms. Facilities are described as basic but functional — spacious, clean, with WiFi, hot showers, and washing machines.

Seasonal considerations are important:

• Winter (December–March): Very cold, sometimes -10°C. No central heating, but electric blankets and heaters are provided. Multiple students mention this as a genuine challenge requiring mental preparation.
• Summer (June–August): Extremely hot. Buckets of water are available to cool down after training.

Lisa and the Community

Lisa, the school's English-speaking coordinator, is mentioned in almost every review from the past five years. She handles translation, administrative matters, practical logistics, WeChat support, taxi arrangements, and anything else students need.

The student community is consistently described as one of the school's greatest strengths — diverse in nationality, age, and background, united by shared purpose. Friendships formed here regularly outlast the training stay.

Who This School Suits

Complete beginners: Multiple reviews from students with zero martial arts experience who thrived.

Older students: A 70-year-old and a 73-year-old have reviewed positively. Training is adaptable to age.

Solo female travelers: Consistently described as safe, welcoming, and family-oriented.

Couples: Reviewed positively by couples training together.

Students seeking physical transformation: Multiple documented cases of significant weight loss and fitness improvement.

Students who should think carefully: Those expecting luxury accommodation, those who need constant external motivation, those who cannot handle cold winters or basic living conditions.

Practical Notes

• Airport pickup arranged from Xinyi Railway Station
• Weekend trips to Xinyi city easy to arrange by tuktuk or taxi
• Optional morning Tai Chi classes available
• Performances at local events and TV appearances are possible for longer-stay students
• Minimum recommended stay: 1 month (many students extend)

Pricing

From $790/month including accommodation, food, and tuition. Longer stays receive better monthly rates. A 6-month stay includes a free staff and dao; a 12-month stay adds a Shaolin training suit. Maximum capacity is 30 live-in students — advance booking recommended for peak seasons.

A $100 application and booking fee is payable before arrival.

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Information last reviewed May 2026, drawing on verified student accounts from 2015–2026. Verify current pricing and availability directly with the school before booking.