Culture Tourism

Tai Chi flourishing in its birthplace

By Song Wei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-06-01 16:14

Henan is not only home to Shaolin Kung Fu, but also the birthplace of Tai Chi.

Professionals perform Tai Chi?at the Chenjiagou Tai Chi?Academy School at Chenjiagou, Wenxian county, Jiaozuo, Henan. [Photo provided for chinadaily.com.cn]

Chenjiagou village, Wenxian county, lies where the Yellow River and Luohe River meet. The village's special geographical location has produced the concept of Yin and Yang, and Tai Chi.

About 2,500 people live in Chenjiagou, and 70% of the villagers' family name is Chen.

The founder of Tai Chi, Chen Wangting (1600-1680), was the ninth generation Chen in this village. Raised in a family that was good at Kung Fu, Chen Wangting was already very popular for his Kung Fu by the time he was a young man.

He wanted to contribute to the government, but unfortunately his ambition was not fulfilled due to the turbulent period he lived in (the transition period of two dynasties- Ming and Qing).

He came back to his hometown in his later years, and dedicated himself to the study of Kung Fu skills. He created a new style based on traditional Kung Fu and named it Tai Chi.

The local government today fully supports the training of Tai Chi by setting up the Tai Chi Museum and training schools. About 3,000 people in Wenxian county work in the Tai Chi industry, which makes a 2% contribution to the local GDP.

To realize the goal put forward in the Henan provincial government work report, the local government is now making efforts to help Chenjiagou Tai Chi become a world-famous tourist attraction.