China trip 2025

10th November

Myself Neil, Imogen, Alex and Lee are on this years adventures to Fuzhou, Southern China.

This is my 23rd trip and even after so many visits it never disappoints. Many of the local Dog Boxers really are close friends and Master Lin and his two sons are like a second family.

Two Trains, two planes and two cars gets us to our hotel in approximately twenty five hours.
China is eight hours ahead so we are already into the second day

11th November

Jet lagged and having immediately going out for an amazing Fuzhou meal we are set up and ready for training tomorrow. The evening was a walk around our new area, finding street markets, fresh fruit stalls and classic Chinese sight and smells all around.

12th November

7am Breakfast each day and a 25 minute walk to our new training hall, assuming we don’t get lost on our way…

All is good and our first training was good fun with “Bellows Breathing” or also known as stomach churning for good digestion and health. Lots of forms to show this years level to Master Lin, and some binding to apply the application of the forms. Lee did very well for his first time and Imogen was happy as he is her first student learning Dishu Quan San Zhan.

The owner of the training hall is a Karate master and came to extend his welcome. We both showed our forms and this lead to some conditioning test of iron arms and Taichi sticking hands.This is standard inn China and after he gave us fresh oranges followed by Tea.

How good can a first session be. We intern gave him and the regular local students our Dishu Quan book that has just been released world wide.
The afternoon was sight seeing at Three Lanes, Seven Allies a local spot for shopping and eating in an old Chinese style of houses.

13th November

Today we are going back the the Village Chen YiJiu taught at “Xiyuan” Many of the old kungfu brothers were there, and its always an honour to perform in the home of Dishu Quan. It has taken many years but after returning so many times, the locals respect us as one of there own.

I was proud of our students performance and also being able to give out some signed Dishu Quan Fa Books to the local friends. As ever the local TV were there recording for a new documentary on the Fuzhou Daily.

Performances done, we head of to the Temple of Wealth. This is a local Daoist Temple we also visit many times and pay respect to the ancestors.

The afternoon is training at the Hotel gym refining forms and new movements, then off out for more Fuzhou adventures and more amazing local food.

14th November

Training today was lots of binding details and variations of what to do from one position to the next. For people not in the know “Binding” is the name for locking an opponent or controlling an opponent to a more advantages position to finish them or control them.

The reporters came again and finished recording our training session along with interviewing us.
The Chinese are interested in Westerners learning the Chinese culture and spreading the art across the world.

Also we had a Taichi master come to visit Master Lin and he gave him a Chinese two handed strait sword.

Training done, we walk home and stop at a local food place the size of a Uk garage, the food was amazing and four of us eat for under £10.

Washed up we head out to meet Zhen Quan Lin at a Tea house on the edge of the city. Like our wine tasting Chinese Tea can be amazing or terrible. Todays was amazing and too much was spent on tea but we were all happy to have some to take home.

The crazy thing was by chance a lady drinking tea before us was about to leave and after chatting it turned out she was Chen Yijiu’s Niece and told us at the time she was teaching at the Fuzhou University they had over 100 students practicing Dog Boxing. They held competitions in fighting between the universities and the dog boxers won against the other local styles giving them great pride.
The students as a result called her Aunty a kungfu term of respect. She also had trained under Chen Yijiu and knew some of the forms and showed the basic for movement finishing with snake sticks out its young at Zhen Quan’s eyes.

More training in the Hotel after the sleep ready for tomorrow.

15th November

The weekend is when all the kids come to train and is always good fun to see them laughing and practicing Dishu Quan Fa. Each session is different in Kungfu, and you never know what you will learn?

We performed to the kids as they us. followed by practicing a technic called “Sun Pointing Leg”, its a take down and as ever its refining the move to be successful. The kids improved and love the ground fighting.

Lee managed to pull a muscle in his neck and both Zhen Quan Lin and his friend Lin Bo are Chinese doctors. So before you know it we get to learn about where to press and what muscles to relax to help him recover….
it always interesting to learn where pain is or can be referred from.

One of our friends is LinZhong brought in a crazy amount of Chinese Tea for us as a gift. The Chinese generosity is beyond belief and they will go so far beyond what is needed to make sure you are made to feel welcome. The media shown to West is not a true reflection of the true nature of the Chinese people. I can’t tell you how friendly the locals are wanting to help in anyway possible. Even the kids just want to chat to practice there English in a polite way, I don’t see much in the West today.

Pm and it’s back on the new subway 30p anywhere in the city and so well organised. Over 65 years old and travel free for all nationality’s, a city of people all move effortlessly from place to place.

We are off the the West Temple, one of our favourite places to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Then its back to the Three Lanes, Seven allies for food and more gifts, the truth is we brought far too much for ourselves when we should be buying for others.

16th November

It’s our mid trip training day off the suns out so it’s off to Drum Mountain today. This is situated on one of the three mountains that surround Fuzhou and has an amazing Temple on the summit. What a place, hundreds of locals all walking up the granite steps to reach the summit. Leading to stunning views of the city and its two main rivers. The Temple itself is so serine as most people don’t go to the temple. The grounds are quiet and a smell of incense drifts in the air. People paying respect to their ancestors or the Buddhist way. It is truly a magical place to spend time and recharge.

Back at the hotel we practice the new movements people have learned to make the most of tomorrows session. Daytime we learn, evening we consolidate the teachings to make the most of our time in China.

Food time and more sleep to be ready for tomorrows class at 8;30am

17th November

Today was just us, Master Lin, Zhen Quan and Armin so the whole session was just binding methods and improving details to make more effective. Dishu Quan is still secretive and will not show much to the outside world. This just to not let others know how to counter or use there methods.

The binding even when done safely can lead to joint and ligament strains or even today one of our group fell backwards hitting the head on a matted ground and had a mild concussion. This style is not to be taken lightly.

Pm was a trip to the the West Lake park its a central park with beautiful lakes and views all around. The locals flock there to walk and see the flowers, play badminton, Mahjong or just chat at the many tables made of stone.

Back at the hotel for late night training to continue the new forms being learnt.

To help give you the reader an incite the City of Fuzhou is now amazingly quite for such a large population. All the cars, busses and bikes are electric and yes the country side has a massive power station but all the people in the city breath fresh air now when it was a heavy smog before.

I have not seen a traffic jam and the underground is an amazing feet of engineering that covers the whole area and connects to the rest of Chinas network.

18th November

Today was work on the new forms and application of the movements. It’s imperative to understand why you are performing the movement to bring the form to life.

As usual when applied exactly like the form the application works. More tea drunk, more chats, more laughter…. what more can you want?

PM We visit Mr Pan’s a long time friend of our that owns what we call the “Very Cool Kungfu Shop” It’s no bigger than a garage but packed with lots of martial equipment and every now and then a good weapon is purchased.

Today was no exception and the list is as follows…
3 x Broad Swords
1x Double Broad Sword
2 x Spear Head and Horse hair beard
1x Horse Cutter
2 x Staite Sword
5 x Water Carrier

All to be shipped to us in England, most likely on a Month or two.

19th November

This morning we are going to the Fuqing Shaolin Temple, this is one of three main Southern Temples recognised for the cultivation of Shaolin Kungfu. We are meeting the head Abbot to present him our book on Dishu Quan Fa, Many years ago he gave me a calligraphy endorsing the UK club for its skill in Dishu Quan (Dog Boxing Kungfu).

This year the Fuqing temple has has under gone an amazing transformation and had 4 Million pounds spent on renovation and enlarging the sight. Next year they will be welcoming 500 new students to learn Southern Shaolin boxing. The performance hall is so large and staggering a photo could not give it justice. We met with the head Abbot and the highest martial arts monk on the sight. He will be over seeing the new training groups to introduce Southern martial arts back into the temple.
Our Dishu Quan is proudly also registered as one of the local styles. After our meeting we were shown around the new complex with utter amazement of the scale, craftsmanship and opulence. Along with the stunning views.

Final good buys and back to Fuzhou.

Pm and we go to the training hall to practice for a few hours, then on the way home try a local massage place. Three of us have a Head and Shoulder massage and me a Foot massage and Pedicure for an hour…. Total cost £43
We all leave floating and feeling amazing.

Tea back at the hotel before bed.

20th November

We thought it was a normal day and headed down to walk to the hall, then we hear a call out from Wang our friend and driver on many occasions… Get in…. and before you know it we were of to Master Lins old home town near the Five Tigers Mountain.

The streets are like I remember old China, manic, bustling, chaos but some how all working in harmony. We meet several old friends and more film crews. They are interested in our training and the spread of Dog boxing, so once again we perform on a big stage and then make the tour around the temple bowing at each alter. This is to remember the ancestors and bring good luck to the future. The locals loved seeing the Dog boxing being showed and we get to find out a few of the villagers practice other styles. One said I don’t train now! Since he was eighty…

He still stood on one leg as solid as can be and showed his crane movements.

Back home, more training, more shopping and more food. Life is good in Fuzhou.

21st November

Normal training today at our hall, we will miss the walk when back in the UK. 23 degrees and bright sun most days, sights and smells all different from home. At the same time we all begin to miss a little of home but don’t want to go home.

The training today was fundamentals of distance and what to do accordingly to the opponent.

Master Lin at 82 still got on the ground and did a method called “Two Snakes Lock the Neck” his movements are still silky smooth and tightens at the end when its too late.

A good friend of ours also arrived from the Netherlands and trained with us. Another book given out to her and Her husband who is working in Fuzhou so only Tanya could come today.

Pm Were off to the Hot Springs Park to relax and enjoy the sights.

22nd November

Saturday and the kids are at the training today, so lots of fun engaging with them training.
Sadly when Zhen Quan arrived he told us Master Lins younger brother was very ill and might make the night. So I offered and took the class so they could do what was needed.

The Children have a completion coming up so we worked on their forms improving the frame, timing and focus of what they are doing.

Final tea with Master Lin then we have the afternoon to relax and do some final tourism and shopping in the town centre.

23rd November

Breakfast then we have a meeting with the local masters to celebrate the launch of the Dishu Quan book. It is held at the Lake Side Hotel. This is a very prestiges hotel in Fuzhou and Master Lin used to be head chef for over 30 years.

Many of the Masters I have met over the years and sadly the group is getting smaller. One of the leaders in Master Hu, he is one of only 30 people to be the 9th Duan grade in China, Master Lin is 8th. They are very a proud of our achievement because not many of the younger generations are as skilled so to have such a book shows promise to the future and Chinese martial arts spreading throughout the world.

The dinner is amazing and the toasting excels as is tradition in China, one person toast a table everyone at that table toasts there table, and so the laughter and friendships are built.

It is a very positive thing to say thank you and why you appreciate each person for being there.

Pm A Baijiu sleep was needed before training again in out hotel gym in the evening, Lee has learnt the QiXing Dui Di (Seven Stars Fall to the Ground) routine, Alex the SHi Ba Lian Zhu (18 Pearls) and Imohen the Shuang Bian Fu (Double Bats) routine.

24th November Home Day

Am Breakfast then the final trip to the training hall for some last refinement of forms and binding.
Master Lin at 82 Never disappoints, when ever we start to apply the fighting methods, he comes to life and demonstrates his depth of knowledge. The smallest detail can change the success of application or what to do when a person defends how to change to the advantage. Often as Masters they just do what is required but the newer students need to see it and break the when and why’s to learn. His whole life’s dedication is obvious as soon as he touches you and this one of the reasons why I return each year. At one point today we were doing a sticking hands section and I was higher to save his legs… Then he said go lower and happily stayed there for the whole exercise.

Not many 82 years people in the West would, ride an electric bike to training, walk up seven flights of stairs, take the class for 3 hours and let on and off the floor many times in the session.

Kungfu is about health more than fighting ever is, the big fight is our health.

See you next year Fuzhou and who ever the group is that comes along with me.
Thank you to all the amazing people in China for you help and our awesome group this year Imogen, Alex and Lee.