How To Visit Shaolin Temple - Birthplace Of Kung Fu

On day 7 in our journey to the Terracotta Warriors, we finally leave Shanghai and fly up to the city of Luoyang. This leg of the trip I organized with our private guide Lisa and we start things off with a little kung fu.

This article may contain paid links where we make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤️. For more details, read the disclosure page.

Read more about travel in China

How can you save money on travel?

Hottest deals – Bookmark the travel deals page.
Car rentals – stop getting ripped off and learn about car rental coupon codes.
Hotels – Use corporate codes or get Genius 2 tier with Booking.
Flights – Have you ever heard of the “Everywhere” feature?
Insurance – Make sure you’re covered and learn more about where to buy the best travel insurance.

Departing Shanghai

Inside the new Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai that's mainly used for domestic flying. — Inside the new Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai that’s mainly used for domestic flying.

Town of Dengfeng

After getting picked up by Lisa and Mr. Zheng, we drove from Luoyang to Dengfeng. We ate at this surprisingly good vegetarian restaurant for 40RMB a head.

Those look like sausages but they're actually made out of some sort of tofu. — Those look like sausages but they’re actually made out of some sort of tofu.

The lovely courtyard of the vegetarian restaurant we ate at. Purely designed for tourists but nonetheless done very well.

Early Check In

Our early check in at Shaoshi Shanzhai Inn & Hotel was met with confusion as the lady working the desk didn’t know how to use the computer to check our Agoda hotel booking. She gave us the keys eventually.

Shaolin Temple

Right after we got dropped off at the entrance, we were graced with this spectacular view even despite the rain.

This is one of the oldest and largest Shaolin Kung Fu schools in the area with 30,000 students here.

Sure it's all a modern made visitor center but still wowed at the scenery. — Sure it’s all a modern made visitor center but still wowed at the scenery.

The rainy day provided a ton of dramatic shots of the mountain like this

One of the oldest and largest Shaolin Kung Fu schools in the area with 30,000 students here. The kids are put to work after the rain, pushing the water into the sewer drain. — The kids are put to work after the rain, pushing the water into the sewer drain.

Shaolin Temple Theater

The theater for the 30 minute kung fu show at Shaolin Temple. Yes it’s quite commercialized here but the show is included with your entrance ticket.

The queueing madness begins. Things are okay before the doors open but once they did, the pushing and shoving was ridiculous. I actually had to yell at an old grandma to tell her to shop pushing us. Don't be a pushover. Stand your ground!! — The queueing madness begins. Things are okay before the doors opened but once they did, the pushing and shoving was unbearable.

Chantelle not impressed with the grandmas shoving behind her. One thing I can't even joke about is how China can bring out the worst in you when it comes to line ups and queues. I've shoved a few people back a few times just to tell them to stop. — Chantelle not impressed with the grandmas shoving behind her. One thing I can’t even joke about is how China can bring out the worst in you when it comes to line ups and queues. I’ve shoved a few people back a few times just to tell them to stop.

The kung fu show featuring kids from nearby schools at Shaolin was actually pretty impressive. These kids were really good!

This kid was insanely flexible. He showed us at least 7 or 8 different poses where he contorted at impossible angles.

You can't see it too clearly here but this guy broke two metal rods over his head. — You can’t see it too clearly here but this guy broke two metal rods over his head.

This guy had a needle and was able to throw it hard enough to penetrate the glass and burst the balloon behind without shattering the glass.

The Actual Shaolin Temple

We thought the rain was over but it started up again after the show. This is in front of the entrance to the actual Shaolin Temple. It has quite the storied history.

Lisa gave us a ton of history facts about the monks but what tripped me up the most was all the dynasties this temple has seen through.

Yes this is a tree but no those holes aren't natural. Kung fu students actually trained their single or two finger strikes on these trees back in the day and that's what caused the indents you're seeing. — Yes this is a tree but no those holes aren’t natural. Kung fu students actually trained their single or two finger strikes on these trees back in the day and that’s what caused the indents you’re seeing.

The many temples within the temple grounds.

This cooking pot dates back 500 years and was used as a cooking wok for 2000 monks that lived here during the Ming Dynasty.

Love the intricate roof designs of these temples.

The last building in the temple is the training room. You can't quite see it here but there are 48 indents on the ground from the practice the used to do here. — The last building in the temple is the training room. You can’t quite see it here but there are 48 indents on the ground from the practice the used to do here.

These look funky but they're actually quite jealous they had these disposable shoe covers. — These look funky but they’re actually quite jealous they had these disposable shoe covers.

Pagoda Forest at Shaolin

The Pagoda Forest at Shaolin looked a lot different than I had imagined. In my head I was thinking it would be more of a forest path but instead it turned out to be really a giant cemetery of these stupas built to commemorate various monk leaders over the years at Shaolin.

Training Field

Typically the training field for the students, this was turned into overflow parking on the day we visited.

CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE

Why Choose Salkantay Trekking To Machu Picchu?

Typically the training field for the students, this was turned into overflow parking on the day we visited. Just look at all the garbage left behind. I was disgusted! — Just look at all the garbage left behind. I was disgusted!

Where To Stay near Shaolin Temple

The hotel we booked for our stay was the Shaoshi Shanzhai Inn & Hotel.

Sketchy looking entrance to our Dengfeng Hotel - Shaoshi Shanzhai Inn & Hotel — Entrance to our Dengfeng Hotel

Last but not least, our scary hotel for the night in the tiny town of Dengfeng. The room looked alright until... — Last but not least, our scary hotel for the night in the tiny town of Dengfeng. The room looked alright until…

The hardest part for a lot of travellers to rural parts of China are the bathrooms and this particular hotel in Dengfeng was no exception.

Lost in translation

Just one of the many sights that will make your jaw drop.

I love these super odd descriptive names!

A little surprise tile in my parent's bathroom in our Dengfeng hotel. — A little surprise tile in my parent’s bathroom in our Dengfeng hotel.

What you should read next

Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.

AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.

Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 5% discount!
RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.