Kung Fu Shows in Beijing

Although it is not considered a traditional and millenary practice in China, because it was popularized only in the 1950s, Kung Fu is a combination of martial arts, acrobatics and theatrical performances that has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in Beijing, because it demonstrates the physical and mental dexterity of the athletes and artists who are part of the shows.

Among the best things to see and do in Beijing to discover the Kung Fu shows available in the city, you can attend shows at the Red Theater, visit the Pearl Market and see one of the traditional sites of this practice, take a private class with an expert instructor and review the history of Kung Fu on a walk through the hutongs of the Chinese capital.

If you want to attend the typical Beijing Kung Fu show, you can't miss the Red Theater, which offers this martial arts and dance performance. The production is a collaboration between the Beijing Theater Company and the city's Kung Fu Academy and has been acclaimed for its amazing combination of martial arts skills, acrobatics and theatrical performances.

The show tells the story of a young kung fu apprentice who seeks to achieve excellence in his art and is guided along the way by a wise master. The plot is full of dramatic and action scenes, involving all kinds of acrobatic moves, such as jumps and spins in the air, kicks, punches and sword movements.

The staging also features a wealth of special effects such as lighting, music and sets, which create a vibrant atmosphere. The costumes also feature bright colors and intricate designs. The Red Theater Kung Fu show is usually included in the best tours of Beijing.

For an experience that combines martial arts skills, theater, music and special effects, you can't miss this show, which is a showcase of China's rich cultural heritage.

Details of interest

• Price: the ticket has an initial cost of approximately 40 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 70 minutes.
• Where: Red Theater, Beijing.

Kung Fu shows are typical activities in Beijing, but given their short duration, usually about 1.5 hours, many tour providers offer activities that combine visits to some of the city's best temples or other famous attractions with the shows of this practice that combines martial arts with theatrical demonstrations and dance.

On these tours you can take a private walking tour of the Temple of Heaven, which is one of Beijing's most iconic landmarks and is known for its architecture and importance as a center of worship. An expert tour guide will take you through the temple, telling you about its history and cultural significance as he takes you through the highlights of this Unesco World Heritage Site.

At the temple you will see the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, which is one of the most iconic structures, and also visit other important sites, such as the Imperial Hall of Abstinence, the Hall of Music and the Circular Altar, which due to its beauty was replicated in the main temple of the Forbidden City.

At the end of the tour you will also enjoy a Kung Fu show at a local theater. This Chinese martial art form that has been popularized around the world thanks to movies and TV series, so you will marvel at the acrobatics and skills of the artists in a theatrical setting.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 58 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Where: Temple of Heaven and Residential Theater, Beijing.

If you are in Beijing and looking for an authentic cultural experience, you can't miss the tour to the city's Pearl Market, with Peking duck dinner and Kung Fu show at the end. This market is known for its high quality pearls and is a popular destination for tourists as well as locals.

At the market you will have the opportunity to see a wide variety of pearls and jewelry and learn about one of the typical Chinese products. You can also buy souvenirs as a souvenir of your trip.

This tour also includes a dinner of Peking duck, one of the most famous dishes of Chinese cuisine. This dish, which is usually included as one of the main options in the best gastronomic tours of Beijing, consists of roast duck with crispy and juicy skin, served with tortillas, onions and a sweet sauce.

To complete the evening, the tour ends with a Kung Fu show in the same market. The artists perform acrobatics and martial arts demonstrations that will catch your attention and allow you to learn about the local idiosyncrasies.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 90 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.
• Where: Pearl Market, Beijing.

The Kung Fu Panda Tour in Beijing is a fun experience that combines traditional Chinese culture with the famous DreamWorks animated movie. This tour will take you through the most important sites of the city, where you can learn about the local history and culture and also enjoy the magic of Kung Fu Panda.

The tour starts with a visit to the Shaolin Temple, where you can learn about Kung Fu and watch the monks performing demonstrations. Then you will head to the animation studio where the movie was made. There you will see some of the original sketches and designs used by the filmmakers.

The tour will also take you to a gym where you can participate in a Kung Fu training session with an experienced instructor to learn some basic moves while having fun and feeling like Po, the main character of the movie, making it an ideal activity to do with children.

Finally, the tour will end with dinner at a local restaurant where you can enjoy delicious Chinese dishes while exchanging experiences with other tour members. Overall, this tour is one of the most interesting in the city, although you should keep in mind that it is a full day tour, so it might not be compatible with a short stay in the city.

Details of interest

• Price: these excursions have an initial cost of approximately 220 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 11 hours.
• Where: different sites in Beijing.

The Forbidden City marks the heart of the Chinese capital and is one of the city's main attractions. In ancient times, it was the residence of Chinese emperors for over 500 years and is a symbol of Beijing's rich history and culture. On these tours you can visit it and also attend a Kung Fu show at the end.

With the assistance of an expert local guide you will see the various halls and courtyards of the Forbidden City and discover the majesty of the place, which is maintained as it was in its heyday, when the emperors and their court of officials occupied the site. If you plan to visit Beijing in summer, you can also make the most of the site's artificial lake. In addition, from the gardens you can also discover Tiananmen Square and the famous Heavenly Gate.

After the tour of the Forbidden City, the tour will culminate with a Kung Fu show, which is one of China's most popular martial arts. Watching a live show is an ideal opportunity to see incredible acrobatics, strikes and precise movements.

The Kung Fu show is a unique way to end the tour, as it provides a taste of modern Chinese culture compared to the ancient history you will see in the Forbidden City. This contrast is an enriching experience that will allow you to understand how China's customs evolved over the centuries.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 74 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Where: Forbidden City, Beijing.

One of the best alternatives to get to know the Beijing culture is to go on a shopping tour around the main sites of the city. Some of the shops you will visit on these tours will be the Silk Market and the Pearl Market, in an excursion that includes the transfer in the hop on-hop off tourist buses of the city. At the end of the experience you will also be able to attend a traditional Kung Fu show.

In the markets you can buy typical products, such as clothes and jewelry, but you can also taste traditional Chinese food and buy souvenirs and other characteristic objects, such as teapots and kitchen items. These excursions usually last about half a day, so lunchtime will find you among shops and food stalls.

After your day of shopping, you can relax and enjoy a Kung Fu show, which is a great way to experience Chinese entertainment culture. Kung Fu shows are held at various venues throughout the city, including the Red Theater and the National Performing Arts Center. The site of the show will depend on when you choose to visit Beijing.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 110 euros per person, including transfers and the show.
• Duration: approximately 6 hours.
• Where: Silk Market, Pearl Market, Red Theater and National Performing Arts Center.

If you want to combine two traditional Chinese experiences, you can visit the Great Wall, which is one of the most fascinating sites in the world, especially in the Mutianyu section, with a Kung Fu show, which is a practice of martial arts, dances and theatrical performances.

At the Great Wall of China you will be able to contemplate the open views towards the pine forests and the surrounding mountain range. If you plan to travel to Beijing in August, you will also be able to enjoy the sunrise in ideal weather, as most of these tours start in the early morning. There you will be able to take some of the best pictures of your trip.

After the walk along the Great Wall, you can visit one of the city's theaters to enjoy a Kung Fu show, an experience that will transport you to one of China's popular practices, which is usually surrounded by a show of special effects difficult to find elsewhere.

Please note that these excursions are full day tours, so it might not be compatible with a short stay in the city. If that is your case, here is a list of activities you can do to discover Beijing in 2 days.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an approximate initial cost of 215 euros per person, including transfers and show.
• Duration: approximately 11 to 12 hours.
• Where: Great Wall of China, Mutianyu section, Beijing.

While not a Kung Fu show, one of the options you can choose if you want to discover Kung Fu in Beijing is to take a class with a professional instructor. Kung Fu is a martial art that requires skill, technique and concentration, and an expert can help you develop these skills in a personalized and effective way, plus it can be a very fun experience.

By taking a private class, you will have the undivided attention of the instructor, who can focus on your individual strengths and weaknesses and customize the lesson to meet your specific needs. This is especially helpful if you're looking to improve your skills in a particular area, such as self-defense or form. All this in a downtown gym close to Beijing's best hutongs.

In addition, a private Kung Fu instructor can offer more detailed guidance on the philosophy and history of the martial art, which will help deepen your understanding and appreciation of the discipline. You will learn through more detailed demonstrations and explanations, allowing you to improve your skills more effectively. Are you up for the challenge?

Details of interest

• Price: these excursions have an initial cost of approximately 52 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 to 3 hours.
• Where: Chaoyang Park, Beijing.

If you want to learn about the history of Kung Fu in Beijing, you can opt for these tours that will take you to the foundational sites of the discipline, such as the Temple of Heaven, a complex of temples and altars that was where the emperors of the Qing dynasty performed rituals to honor the gods and practiced martial arts.

You will also visit the Summer Palace, one of the most famous places for Kung Fu lovers, since the Shaolin martial arts school was founded there, which has given rise to some of the most famous martial arts techniques. In this temple you will see demonstrations of the monks practicing Kung Fu, as well as learn about the history and philosophy of the technique.

Finally, you will finish the tour with a Kung Fu show at the Red Theater. This show combines dance, music and martial arts in a performance that will leave you mesmerized.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 60 euros per person, including entrance fees to the temples and the show.
• Duration: approximately 3 to 4 hours.
• Where: Temple of Heaven, Shaolin Temple and Red Theater, Beijing.

One of the best activities you can do in Beijing at night is to walk around the city to enjoy its illuminated buildings and monuments. On these tours you can visit some of the most emblematic sites, before ending the night with a Kung Fu show.

Among the sites you will visit are Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China building and the Tiananmen Gate. You will also visit the Forbidden City Palace, once the home of the Chinese emperors, and finally the Red Theater, where you will see the show.

In this show you will meet some of the best exponents of Kung Fu in action, combining dance, music and martial arts in a striking staging that will allow you to discover part of the culture and modern idiosyncrasy of the country.

Details of interest

• Price: these excursions have an initial cost of approximately 48 euros per person, including the entrance to the show.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Where: Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, National Museum and Red Theater.