Some traditional teachers in China do not regard Dong as the founder, though, but merely as the first identified transmitter of Baguazhang knowledge to the wider public.
He was born on 13 October 1797 or 1813 in Zhu village, Ju Jia Wu Township, Wen'an County, Hebei Province, China.
His family is thought to have been so poor, at some point around 1853, Dong left Hebei Province to seek work elsewhere.
But it is generally accepted that, during this time, Dong studied Taoist training methods that included some kind of circle walking practice.
Dong and his top student Yin Fu went to Mongolia to collect taxes, where he spent ten years.
By the late 19th century, Baguazhang had become a well-known fighting style in Beijing and northern China, and Dong Haichuan and his students became famous.