Study Bagua Zhang at Wudang

FAQ

1.Q: What is a typical day of training like at the school?
A: Early morning training begins at 6:20 AM with qi gong, tai ji, and standing meditation. The morning class is from 8:30 to 11:30 and is generally comprised of one to two hours of basics (including kicks, punches, coordination drills, strength and flexibility training, san da, etc.). After basics, students continue to learn new movement from what they are studying or drill what they have already learned either as a group or individually. Afternoon training is from 3:00 to 5:00 and is run similarly to the morning class. Meditation is everynight at 8:00. (Note: class times change with the change of seasons.)

2.Q: What should I do in order to prepare for entering China?
A: All persons intending to enter The People's Republic of China from outside countries must first have a valid passport and a Chinese visa. We can help you with obtaining your Chinese visa by providing you with an invitation letter to hand in with your visa application. Any other circumstances or special needs for visa application can be communicated to Master Yuan via e-mail.

3.Q: Can I still come to learn if I am not taking part in the program beginning in September?
A: Absolutely! The school is open to anyone interested in coming to study. The program beginning in September will be a separate class format. For further questions about the program beginning in September, please refer to the article written about it at http://www.wudanggongfu.com/kungfu/2009.htm.

4.Q: What is the weather like?
A: The Summer is generally pretty warm. Spring and fall are mild and very comfortable. The winter is generally about zero to five degrees.

5.Q: When is the best time to come train?
A: Any time is great. Each season has its benefits.

6.Q: I am vegetarian, is that a problem?
A: All meals have vegetarian options. Generally there are about 5-8 plates of different foods to choose from during meals, with only one or two of them consisting of meat. Any special dietary concerns should be communicated to Master Yuan before arrival to better accomodate students.

7.Q: Should I begin preparing myself physically for training before coming?
A: There is no real need to prepare yourself physically before arrival.

8.Q: I was only provided a visa for a fraction of my intended stay at the school, can I extend my visa at the school?
A: It is very easy to extend your visa here in town. Non-citizens of China are allowed to stay in China for one year. After one year, they are required to leave the country in order to apply for a new visa. Most students who stay for more than one year simply travel to Hong Kong or other neighboring countries to do so.

9.Q: What's the best way for me to get to Wudang?
A: Travelling by train from Beijing or Shanghai are the most convenient as they are very Western-friendly cities. However, you can also take a train, airplane, or bus here from other parts of China. It is most convenient to be able to travel directly to Wudang from inside China. If you cannot purchase a train or bus ticket directly to Wudang, try to purchase one to the nearby city, Shiyan, or Xiangfan. Those travelling by airplane must fly to Xiangfan and then travel by bus or taxi to Wudang. Make sure that all travel arrangements are clearly communicated with Master Yuan at the earliest possible date to make sure that there are no complications in your travel. Taxis from Shiyan or Xiangfan to Wudang can be arranged.

10.Q: Do I need to be able to speak Chinese?
A: No, Master Yuan's English is great and he is constantly learning and studying to better his communication with students.

11.Q: Should I get any vaccinations before coming?
A: Most students that come to the school do not get vaccinations before coming. This is up to your personal preference.

12.Q: Can I work at the school or elsewhere during my study in order to have extra spending money during my stay?
A: There are no opportunities for work at the school and as Wudang is located in a small town, there are no work opprtunities in town.

13.Q: Will I be living and training inside the temple?
A: The school is located directly next to Yu Xu Gong, the largest temple complex in Wudang. We train inside of Yu Xu Gong everyday, weather permitting, and inside the training hall at the school when the weather does not permit. All students live inside of the school, not the temple.

14.Q: What is the safest way to carry and exchange money?
A: Despite what travel books say, often times using traveller's checks can be inconvenient, difficult, and time consuming. The Bank of China located in Wudang only exchanges currency, not traveller's checks. Traveller's checks can be exchanged in Shiyan, the nearby city. Many students open bank accounts and then have their money wired to them from home. Please be sure to be careful if travelling with large sums of money. Travelling with large sums of money is not encouraged. There are many ATM's in town that accept Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards.

15.Q: What should I bring for clothes, shoes?
A: Make sure to be mindful of the seasons. In Summer, make sure to bring light, loose, comfortable fitting clothes. For winter, bring heavier clothing that will keep you warm but will also permit movement. Students are encouraged to wear low shoes during training.

16.Q: Can I have internet set up in my room? Are there internet bars located nearby?
A: Students who plan on bringing laptops can have internet set up in their rooms (note: this is not a service provided by the school, so all costs must be covered by students). Also, there are many internet bars located conveniently in town that are very inexpensive (about 2 RMB per hour).

17.Q: How do I pay tuition?
A: The most secure, and convenient way to pay your tuition is by wiring it directly to Master Yuan. Once you have wired your tuition, please contact Master Yuan to let him know. Also, please make sure that when entering bank account information that all the information that you provide is correct. Those who prefer to pay upon arrival are welcome to as well.

*For any other questions, please feel free to contact Master Yuan.