Martial Arts in Shenzhen — Myriad Misadventures

2022 Update

I’ve been meaning to update this page with some new stuff for a while now. First I’ll be adding some places that I’ve found since I originally posted this. I’ve added them at the end of style (the end of wing chunk or example). Since I’ve discovered them more recently they’re probably more likely to still be open.

The second is a COVID update. Some of the places below (like One Mind Ving Tsun) are taught by Hong Kong instructors. Since the border is mostly closed those places probably don’t have classes right now. The pandemic could have also caused places to close. If you want to check anything out make sure you get in contact with the school first to make sure they’re still around. I’ll keep the page as up to date as I can if I find anything out.

I think the real reason I came to China was to study martial arts. I don’t know if I admitted that to anyone, or even to myself, but the longer I’m here the longer I suspect it to be true. I’m not sure I found whatever it was I was looking for but I certainly found a bunch of places that offer martial arts classes. I’ve also found that people have asked me where they can find places to study martial arts. Some people find me via a mutual friend; they mention they’re interested in studying something and the mutual friend mentions he or she knows someone into martial arts. Some other people find me accidentally in different group chats on WeChat, see that I have martial arts related profile pictures, and add me. After linking up a bunch of people with different locations and instructors (hopefully the places worked out) I realized I should make a post with all the places I know about in case any more people are curious. It’ll probably save me a bunch of time and be easier for other person to peruse.

I would like to note that I have not personally studied at all of these places. Some of them I have studied at for a little bit. Some of them I’ve done a demo class to check it out. Some of them I’ve gone to see to confirm they existed but for whatever reason never took a class. Still others I’ve never been too, although I’ve talked to the people who run them or work there. I have not studied at any of them at length. The purpose of this post is not to tell anybody the best school or what they should study because I don’t know. The purpose is to give people the resources to find something that suits them or something in a convenient location. I’ve provided the location of each school and any information I know. Unless otherwise noted the class is for adults and taught in Mandarin. If anyone wants to know more shoot me a message and I can get you in contact with the owner so you can ask any questions. I would also like to apologize if I mistranslate anything. My Chinese remains subpar at best…

I’ll keep this post updated with any new locations I’ve found or information I’ve learned so if you can’t find what you’re looking for now check back later in case I find something in the future. And feel free to reach out and ask any questions. I might now be able to answer them but if I can’t I can probably get you in touch with someone who can.

Wing Chun

One Mind Ving Tsun (念一咏春学会）

Taught by an instructor from Hong Kong, One Mind Ving Tsun is located off of Guomao metro station in Luohu, not too far from the border with Hong Kong. This is the only wing chun I’ve found that is taught in English which could be a factor for some people. (NOTE: The instructor is from Hong Kong so there are probably no classes during COVID)

Chaozong Wing Chun (朝宗詠春)

Located in the urban village in Baishizhou, west of Window of the World and north of Nanshan, the instructor teaches out of his apartment which keeps costs down. He previously taught at another school in the area and later started his own business.

Zhequanguoyi (哲拳國藝）

This school is located not too far from Laojie Metro, pretty close to the big food street near the McDonalds. Make sure to look for the building number to figure out where to go.

Applied Wing Chun Shenzhen (实践咏春深圳）

The best way I found to get to this school was via Nanshan metro, then a walk down the street to the school. It was a little tough to find. You’ve gotta turn onto a little street that has a larger building with a taekwondo school and a badminton building. It’s opposite that.

Practical Wing Chun Shenzhen (深圳温鉴良实用咏春拳）

Based in Hong Kong, Practical Wing Chun was created by Wan Kam Leung. This is the Shenzhen branch of the school. It’s close to Houhai metro station and not too difficult to find. I believe a second location has been opened in either Longgang or Luohu but I haven’t been there yet. The head instructor speaks English, so if he’s teaching you might be able to get some instruction in English.

Renyi Wing Chun (仁义咏春拳馆)

Renyi is based out of Guangzhou and they have four schools in Shenzhen; in Futian, Nanshan, Luohu, and Longhua. They seem to adhere to a much stricter curriculum than some of the other places, which definitely helps you keep track of your progress.

Hongmian Tang Kung Fu Association (红棉堂功夫会馆)

This school is located right near Jingtian metro in Futian district. Look for Cchoice Coffee at street level. The school is in the strip above. The instructor studied in Foshan and teaches a style of wing chun similar to Chaozong Wing Chun.

Jeet Kune Do

Shenzhen Shengwu Elite Martial Arts Center (深圳圣武精英武馆)

This JKD school is located not far from Guomao metro station, almost across the street from One Mind Ving Tsun. The school is in what appears to be a residential building from the outside. There is another school that seems bigger but I haven’t seen that location. The school offers classes for children as well as adults.

Wushu

Wangtang International Kung Fu School（王堂国际功夫馆）

This wushu school is about a half mile walk from Daxin metro. The school itself is just inside a residential complex after you enter through the gate. The school teaches children and adults but seems to split classes by level not age. So if you’re new to wushu you may be in a class full of kids.

Dexiu Martial Arts School（德修武馆）

This wushu school seems to have a couple of branches in the city but the one I’m familiar with is in Futian right by Lianhua West metro. They have told me they teach adults and children and if you buy private lessons that’s true. Unfortunately I’m not sure how their group classes work.

Hengyi Wushu Taichi and Wrestling School

This school has a pretty long name so I’m not sure I translated it particularly well. They do have wushu classes for kids though and if you’re an adult you can probably talk to the owner to try to set something up. Originally in Chegongmiao, the school has since moved to a bigger location in a sports area on the top floor/roof of a mall between Qiaoxiang and Antuo Hill metro stations.

Taichi

Chen Style Tai Chi Shenzhen Branch (陈家沟太极拳学校深圳分校）

This school teaches one of the popular styles of tai chi and can be found off one of the many exits of Grand Theater metro station. To find the school you need to find the building’s side elevator and take it up to the school. They have separate classes for both children and adults.

Tongle Taichi School (同乐太极）

This school is smaller than the Chen Style school above but has a pretty good schedule. The school is inside a big residential complex near Zhuzilin metro. You may have to ask the guard at the gate to be let in.

Hengyi Wushu Taichi and Wrestling School

In addition to wushu Hengyi also teaches taichi (unsurprisingly based on the name). Unlike wushu there are scheduled adult taichi classes during the week. Both Yang and Chen style material is taught in class.

MMA

Invincible (仁者无敌搏击俱乐部）

Originally in Chegongmiao Invincible has since opened a second school near Shekou. They have MMA, BJJ, boxing and kickboxing classes. Some of the staff is foreign so there is probably some English in class.

Capoeira

GCBSZ Capoeira Shenzhen (深圳巴西战舞）

This one caught me off guard. I did not expect to find capoeira in Shenzhen. Part of Grupo Capoeira Brasil, the classes are taught in a dance studio in a building not too far from Shawei (沙尾) metro station on Line 7. Take exit C and go northeast a bit to find the mall. The class is taught in English but there is Portuguese singing for the roda. (NOTE: The instructor is from Hong Kong so there are probably no classes during COVID)

Karate

Olymp Sports Club

I just learned about this school recently through a friend when they held a tournament in the city. Originally on a smaller street about halfway between the Lianhua West and Jintian metro stations it later moved to a building right around the corner from Dexiu Martial Arts School. It looks like it’s moved again and is out in Shekou now. I believe the owner is foreign and I’ve spoken to him in English so my best guess is that the classes at least have some English but they might only be for kids.

Taekwondo

I have not personally been to or looked into any taekwondo schools in Shenzhen but I’ve seen them all over the place. Based on the number of kids I’ve seen walking around in uniforms I’d guess they cater to children but they may also offer adult classes.

Byzen (八正武道）

This TKD school is located right next to GCBSZ near Shawei metro station. They had a kids class going when I peeked in.

Junlong Martial Arts School (骏龙武道)

A friend of mine who I met filming ‘Justice Delivery’ runs this school up in Longang. It’s a short bus ride from Dafen (the painting village) metro station and he has classes for both children and adults.

I hope this can help even one person find a place to study martial arts while staying in Shenzhen. If you know of any more locations that I haven’t mentioned send me a message with the location and I’ll try to check it out and add it to this post.

Thanks for reading and I'll see you on my next trip. Don't forget to click the links below and follow to stay up to date on what I'm doing and where I am and to see all the pictures and videos from my trips.