Modern Southern Dragon style's history can be reliably traced to the monk Daai Yuk Sim Si, who was the abbot of Huashoutai (White Hair) temple on Mount Luofu.

Luofushan is the site of many temples, including Huashoutai where, c. 1900, a Chan (Zen) master named Daai Yuk taught Southern Dragon style to Lam Yiu Gwai (1874–1965), who in turn passed the art on to the many students of his schools in Guangzhou.

[3] Lam Yiu Gwai and Jeung Lai Chuen (1880-1966) were good friends from their youth in the Dongjiang region of Huizhou, longtime training partners[4] and later cousins by marriage.

A variation of the Southern Dragon style is taught by the Long Choo Kung Fu Society based in Penang, Malaysia, and with branches in Australia.

Founded by Li Ah Yu and his father near the turn of the 20th century, this association claims it is teaching a Soft/Hard Dragon style originating from Fujian province.

Eventually, the method of transmitting power is retained, and the physically strengthened body is able to make transitions in the proper, fluid manner.