Northern Shaolin kung fu

In its broadest sense, Northern Shaolin (Chinese: 北少林; pinyin: Běishàolín; Cantonese Yale: Bak-siu-làhm) is the external (as opposed to internal) martial arts of Northern China, referring to those styles from the Northern Shaolin Monastery in Henan and specifically to the style practice by Gù Rǔzhāng (顧汝章 1894–1952; also known as Ku Yu-cheung), the Sōngshān Shí Lù Shàolínquán (嵩山十路少林拳) / Song Mountain Ten Road Shaolin Boxing.

Chángquán is often identified as the representative Northern style and forms a separate division in modern Wushu curriculum.

In general, the training characteristics of northern styles put more focus on legwork, kicking and acrobatics.

The influence of Northern styles can be found in traditional Korean martial arts and their emphasis on high-level kicks.

The system teaches empty-hand techniques and weaponry through predetermined combinations, known as forms, routines, or movement of sets.

The monks began to practice military weapons sometime around the Tang dynasty and became famous for aiding the future Emperor Li Shimin in struggles against rebellious forces.

The Northern Shaolin (北少林 denotes the famous 河南崇山少林寺 Song Mountain Shaolin Temple, in Henan province) style associated with Gu Ruzhang was first taught to a lay disciple, the celebrated 18th century master Gan Fengchi of Jiangsu Province, by a Shaolin monk named Zhao Yuan, born Zhu Fu, a member of the Ming royal family who joined the sangha after the Ming was overthrown by the Qing in 1644.

Note that some heirs to Gu Ruzhang's tradition teach these routines in a different order, particularly those under the lineage of Chan Kowk Wai(陳國偉).