Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong Training in Northern Thailand

You train throughout the day, not in a studio but in a working gym with weapons, heavy bags, and conditioning circuits.

A one-day Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong training course in Northern Thailand combines morning meditation and technique work, mid-day conditioning (on select days), and afternoon specializations like weapons training or fighting applications. Fresh organic meals from the retreat's gardens, Chinese tea breaks, and full gym access are included. The program runs daily with different focuses depending on the day you attend, and no lunch is served on Mondays and Thursdays (ordering in or visiting town is possible). Minimum age is 18 and moderate physical fitness is required.

The experience

The program splits into three blocks: you arrive before 6 AM for Tong Ling Chi Kung, walking meditation, and the Shuang Yang form, then break for Chinese tea and training discussion around 7:50 AM. Self-defence, Kung Fu techniques, or supervised practice follows depending on the day, with group stretching and breakfast finishing the morning session by 9:15 AM.

Mid-day sessions run only on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays: Mondays and Thursdays skip this block entirely, which is why those days cost less. When they do run, you work through Vein Tendon Qigong, grinding exercises, Sum Chien training, and a full Kung Fu gym circuit with conditioning work, pushing hands, and sticky hands drills. Afternoons shift by day: Sunday brings weapons defence and traditional weapon forms, Monday is a masterclass on stance and breathing, Tuesday covers fighting applications, Thursday is meditation, and Friday focuses on kicking, striking, or block breaking. Training ends at 6 PM and dinner follows.

The retreat's kitchen gardens and orchards supply fresh organic meals daily. Vegan and vegetarian options are standard, and meat appears only on Sundays and Thursdays with alternatives always available. You have access to the full gym between sessions: general's poles, punch bags, kicking dummies, weights, parallel bars, chin-up bars, and gymnastics rings. Chinese tea is served mid-morning and late afternoon. An English-speaking guide leads all sessions.

What’s included

• Morning and afternoon Chinese tea breaks.
• fresh organic meals from the retreat's gardens (vegan, vegetarian, and meat options available).
• full gym access with equipment including poles, heavy bags, kicking dummies, weights, parallel bars, chin-up bars, and gymnastics rings.
• English-speaking guide throughout all sessions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Wednesday and Saturday

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat Day Courses

Is this one for you?Pick a Sunday, Tuesday, or Friday if you want the full day with mid-day conditioning and gym circuits. Mondays and Thursdays cost less because they skip the mid-day block and are better if you prefer morning and afternoon training only, or if you're combining this with other activities in the region.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the days with mid-day sessions and the ones without?

Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays include a mid-day block of conditioning, gym circuits, and partner drills like pushing hands. Mondays and Thursdays skip the mid-day session entirely, which is reflected in the lower price for those days and means no lunch is served.

Do I need to have trained in Kung Fu before?

No prior experience is required, but you do need at least a moderate level of physical fitness to keep pace with the six-hour training day and the conditioning circuits in the gym.

What happens between the morning session and lunch?

On Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays you train again from around 11 AM through the early afternoon. On Mondays and Thursdays there is a gap, and you can order food in or walk into town, which is very close by.

What does the afternoon session cover?

The afternoon focus changes daily: weapons training on Sunday, a masterclass on internal power and breathing on Monday, fighting applications on Tuesday, meditation on Thursday, and kicking or striking techniques on Friday.

Is accommodation included?

Accommodation is not included in this one-day course. The retreat offers lodging separately if you want to stay overnight and attend multiple days.