Many people know the story of Shaolin from various films, myths and legends. But not everything we know is true.
This monastery is located on Songshan Mountain in central China (Dengfeng city). It is distinguished from all buildings by its original architecture. The temple may seem unusual and at the same time attractive for its originality.
It is known that the monastery lay in ruins for half a century. This was the aftermath of World War II. In this regard, only eight monks remained in Shaolin who knew the mastery of wushu and meditative techniques. And at that time there was absolutely no one to teach.
But over time, everything began to improve in the monastery. Funds were allocated for the restoration of the temple. After all, Shaolin is not only a landmark in China, but also its cultural heritage. Therefore, it was very important for the Chinese people that the monastery be restored.
Cinematography made a direct contribution to the development of the temple. A large stream of novices fell on the time of the release of the film "Shaolin Temple". At that time, the film was very popular. Young people were interested in the possibility of training in martial arts.
Nowadays, monks also train young people in martial arts and spiritual balance. Gaining fortitude and learning to lead a correct lifestyle is the main goal of novices.
As in the old days, the monks are also dressed in loose yellow robes. If you communicate with one of them, then you can feel the full strength of the spirit of Shaolin pupils.
There are commercial martial arts schools in the vicinity. They are intended for foreign tourists. Anyone can attend one or more classes and learn more about kung fu. You may not be able to master all the art in a few sessions, but you may be able to master a few techniques.
There is a legend about the "Southern Shaolin". It was invented by the author of the adventure novel. It was called Wan Nian Qing. The book describes how the future emperor of China traveled through the territory of southern China, and unusual things happened to him.
The story described in this novel was believed by the illiterate inhabitants of China. Since then, this legend has passed from mouth to mouth, from generation to generation. In fact, nothing like this happened, since the "Southern Shaolin" simply did not exist. All geographic data were checked by field expeditions, and not a single building or object described in the book was found.
Walking around the temple, you can find several stalls with goods and products. You can also buy souvenirs there.
The area itself is touristy, but there are not many cafes and restaurants nearby. There are a couple of Chinese restaurants near the monastery where you can have a full lunch. No matter how gourmet you are, choose your dish carefully. Chinese cuisine is completely different from Russian, so it's best to check with your waiter. The main thing is not to eat something that could darken your walk on Shaolin.
Visiting Shaolin in our time, you will feel all the magic of China and come into contact with the historical era of the great monastery.
