Choy Li Fut

Choy Li Fut Kung Fu is a dynamic and comprehensive Southern Chinese martial art that blends the powerful hand strikes of Southern styles with the fluid footwork of Northern systems. Created in the 19th century by Chan Heung, it integrates elements from Shaolin and family systems, offering a vast curriculum of empty-hand forms, weapons, and two-person drills. Known for its circular techniques, long-range attacks, and simultaneous offense and defense, Choy Li Fut is both traditional and highly adaptable. Its philosophical depth, emphasis on rhythm and body mechanics, and suitability for all levels have made it one of the most widely practiced Kung Fu styles worldwide.
Choy Li Fut Essentials
About Choy Li Fut
Get introduced to Choy Li Fut—a powerful and versatile system combining Northern and Southern Kung Fu principles, known for its circular strikes, long-range techniques, and tactical depth.
Choy Li Fut History
Trace the history of Choy Li Fut from its foundation by Chan Heung in 1836 to its development through generations of family transmission and global dissemination.
Philosophy & Approach
Understand how Choy Li Fut integrates Confucian values, martial ethics, and strategic theory to build both effective fighters and morally grounded practitioners.
Techniques & Style
Explore Choy Li Fut’s wide range of techniques—sweeping arm motions, spinning attacks, rapid footwork, and the simultaneous use of blocking and striking in coordinated flow.
Traditions & Etiquette
Learn about the traditional values upheld in Choy Li Fut, including respect for ancestors, ceremonial bows, and the importance of family-style hierarchy in passing knowledge.
Uniform & Symbols
Discover the attire used in Choy Li Fut schools, including sashes, family crests, and emblems that reflect lineage ties and cultural heritage within the system.
Weapons
Study over 50 traditional weapons taught in Choy Li Fut, from long-handled staffs and broadswords to unique implements like the nine-ring whip and bench.
Ranking System
Explore how modern Choy Li Fut schools balance traditional mentorship with structured ranking systems based on forms, weapons, application, and teaching progression.
Choy Li Fut Glossary
Familiarize yourself with key terms like “Fut Gar,” “Baat Gwa Gwan,” and “Siu Mui Fa,” each revealing layers of technical and philosophical knowledge in the system.
Notable Figures
Meet the key masters who shaped Choy Li Fut, including founder Chan Heung, his descendants, and contemporary grandmasters who continue to preserve and innovate the art.
Branches & Organizations
Discover major branches such as Hung Sing and Buk Sing, as well as global associations dedicated to maintaining the integrity and richness of the Choy Li Fut tradition.
Competitive Format
See how Choy Li Fut appears in forms competitions, full-contact sanda events, and performance showcases—balancing tradition with modern martial expression.