Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Maling Shaolin Kung Fu Academy FAQ page! Here, we’ve compiled answers to the most commonly asked questions to help you learn more about our programs, training methods, accommodations, and what to expect during your stay. Whether you’re a prospective student or a returning practitioner, we aim to provide all the information you need for a seamless and enriching experience. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us!
Training & Academy Life
We offer short- and long-term residential Kung Fu training throughout the year. Training includes traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, Sanda, Tai Chi, Qigong, flexibility, conditioning, applications, and other areas of traditional Chinese martial arts. Weapons training is also available after students have developed the necessary foundations. Check out the Training tab from the menu at the top of the page.
We have a set training schedule that all students follow. However, the early morning Tai Chi classes and the 2nd afternoon class are optional, with the exception of afternoon running and cleaning on Fridays.
See the full schedule here.
No prior experience is required to attend our academy. Our programs are designed to accommodate all skill levels, and our masters will work with you to develop your skills from the ground up.
A typical day includes multiple training sessions, focusing on various aspects of Kung Fu, as well as Tai Chi in the morning. There is also time allocated for rest, meals, and personal practice or exploration.
There is a rotating schedule that offers optional Chinese Mandarin classes or additional kung fu styles in the afternoon before dinner. The evenings are free for relaxation.
Check our class schedule on our "Training" page.
We have a large indoor training hall that students can train as well as several outdoor training grounds including forest areas, open cement areas, shaded brick areas.
You can see these ares on our Grounds & Facilities page.
In addition, we use the surrounding countryside for running and power training. We also occasionally train at nearby Malingshan Scenic Park, typically on Thursdays, for Qigong, Conditioning, or Power Training.
You can read about Malingshan Park here.
Students may take photos and videos during their personal time, but filming during classes is not permitted unless specifically authorized by an instructor. This helps students remain present during training, prevents distractions, and respects the learning environment of other students. Academy staff may occasionally film classes from the sidelines for Academy media.
Yes, we incorporate cultural activities into our programs, such as Chinese language lessons, calligraphy, Wushu theory, traditional art & culture, and local excursions to enhance your overall experience.
As is common in schools throughout China and other parts of Asia, students participate in maintaining shared spaces. At Maling Academy, students take part in weekly cleaning every Friday, including training areas, bathrooms, showers, hallways, the laundry area, and other communal spaces. This is part of Academy life and reflects the values of responsibility, discipline, and respect for the community.
Eligibility, Enrollment & Length of Stay
We welcome students from beginners to experienced martial artists. You do not need to have any specific fitness level before arriving, however, for the sake of your own progress and getting the most out of your stay, we recommend working on stamina, flexibility, and coordination before arrival.
The minimum ages accepated are 10 if coming with a family member, 16+ if coming alone, with a cap at 70 years old if fit and approved for training by a doctor. See more below.
The minimum age to attend is 10 years old, if training with a guardian, and 16 and up if training alone. We do not operate a separate children's program; younger students participate in the regular training program alongside our adult students and must be able to follow the training environment and Academy rules.
Students aged 50+ are welcome but required to submit a health certificate from their doctor that clears them for intensive kung fu training in China. See more details here.
We have an upper threshhold of 70 years old as long as the conditions above are met.
First, email us with any questions you may have after reading through the website and check availability for your preferred dates.
Then, you can register for our programs via our "Enrollment" page and filling out the registration form.
All applications are submitted through our Enrollment page.
Students aged 18 and over must participate directly in their own enrollment.
The Academy operates year-round and does not have fixed semester start dates. Students may begin throughout the year, subject to room availability. Our minimum stay is one month, and we recommend applying well in advance.
The minimum standard stay is one month. Occasionally, shorter spaces may become available between existing bookings (no shorter than 3 weeks), but these cannot usually be confirmed far in advance.
Yes, students may request to extend their stay, subject to room availability. If you are considering an extension, please speak with Lisa as early as possible so we can check availability and arrange payment.
Accommodation & Daily Living
Students stay on-site in 2-person shared rooms. Standard and air-conditioned shared rooms are available. Male and female students stay in separate rooms, although couples applying and attending together may request to share a room. Private rooms and private bathrooms are not currently available.
See pictures of our accommodation on our "Grounds & Facilities" page.
No. We currently offer shared accommodation only. Private rooms and private bathrooms are not available.
Rooms are shared by 2 students, separated by gender.
Yes, home-style meals are prepared at the Academy and are included in your stay. We can accommodate many common dietary preferences and restrictions, but options may be more limited than students are accustomed to at home. Please tell us about any dietary requirements when applying so we can confirm whether we can accommodate them.
See more information on our "Chinese Food & Culture" page.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the accommodation building. Please keep in mind that internet access and some international websites and services may function differently in China.
Summers are generally hot and humid and include the rainy season, while spring and autumn are usually mild and comfortable. Winters are generally cold and dry, but temperatures can vary considerably from year to year and may occasionally fall below freezing.
You can see a more detailed description of our weather on our "Climate" page.
Training clothes should be loose, comfortable, and appropriate for martial arts practice. Students should bring long, loose-fitting athletic pants; shorts are not permitted for training. Crop tops and sports bras worn alone are also not appropriate training attire. Running shoes may be used for running and warm-ups, while suitable Kung Fu shoes are provided for training.
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. Find detailed packing lists on our "Climate" and "Before You Come" pages.
Rules, Conduct & Student Responsibilities
Students are expected to follow the Academy's rules regarding training attendance, curfew, conduct, cleanliness, safety, respect for masters and fellow students, and appropriate behavior both inside and outside the Academy. These rules help maintain a safe, respectful, and focused training environment for everyone.
You can view a full list of our Academy Rules at the bottom of our "Our Code" page.
One of these rules prohibits the use of Electrical Equipment in the room.
Here is a list of electrical appliances that are generally not suitable or safe to use in dormitories due to their high power consumption and potential fire hazards:
Electric Heaters (space heaters, oil-filled radiators, etc.);
Hot Plates and Electric Stoves;
Toasters and Toaster Ovens;
Microwave Ovens;
Electric Kettles;
Rice Cookers;
Electric Skillets and Griddles;
Coffee Makers.
These items are typically restricted in dormitories to prevent electrical overloads and reduce the risk of fire.
Students are expected to respect the Academy, their fellow students and masters, and the local community. Serious or repeated violations of Academy rules may result in expulsion.
Grounds for expulsion may include, but are not limited to:
- Physical fighting or violence toward another student, staff member, or other person
- Becoming intoxicated and causing a disturbance, whether on or off Academy grounds
- Repeatedly violating curfew
- Theft or deliberately taking another person's property
- Smoking on Academy grounds
- Repeatedly skipping or refusing to attend required classes without prior permission
- Serious or repeated violations of the Academy's rules of conduct
- Breaking local laws or seriously disregarding local customs
- Conduct, whether on or off Academy grounds, that seriously disrupts the Academy or brings the Academy or its students into public disrepute.
Depending on the seriousness of the behavior, expulsion may be immediate. Repeated violations may also result in expulsion after previous warnings.
Students leaving because of expulsion may forfeit part or all of their remaining tuition balance.
No. Maling Academy is a martial-arts training school, not a disciplinary, rehabilitation, therapeutic, or behavioral-correction program. Training requires voluntary participation, personal responsibility, and a genuine willingness to follow the Academy's schedule and rules. We do not recommend enrolling someone who does not personally want to attend.
Travel, Arrival & International Students
The Academy is located near Xinyi City in Jiangsu Province. Free pickup is available from Xinyi/Xinyi South. Pickup from Xuzhou or Lianyungang can also be arranged for an additional fee.
Please provide us with your travel details prior to your arrival, and we will arrange for a pick-up. Go to our "Transportation" page for more information.
If you select pick-up from Xinyi, Xinyi South (Xinyinan), or Xuzhou East (Xuzhoudong) train stations, follow the other passengers to the exit of the station. Our driver will be holding up a sign with your name on it.
If you select pick-up from Xuzhou or Lianyungang Airport, the taxi driver will be waiting for you outside of the baggage claim exit. They will be holding a sign with your name on it.
For more information on transportation routes, visit our Transportation page.
We provide arrival information, pickup options, orientation, and assistance with the documents the Academy is authorized to provide for eligible student visa applications. Visa requirements vary by nationality and length of stay, and students remain responsible for confirming the requirements applicable to them and completing their own visa application.
You can find the visa documents we provide here.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and the length of your stay. Some nationalities are currently eligible to enter China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, while others require a visa even for a short stay.
You can see a list of what countries can enter China 30 days visa-free here. However, visa policies and geopolitical relations can change, so please double check the current status of your visa exemption before coming.
All students planning to stay longer than 30 days will need an appropriate visa. For longer training stays, we generally recommend the X2 short-term study visa.
Visa policies and can vary by nationality and may change, so students should confirm the current requirements with the Chinese embassy, consulate, or visa application center responsible for their place of residence.
After you have applied and been accepted, the Academy can prepare a visa support package for students who require additional documentation for their visa application.
The package includes an official invitation/admission letter, school license, course description, JW/DQ Exemption From, and tuition invoice if it is required (though the invoice is not generally required for most visa applications).
Because these documents contain official and sensitive Academy information, a $100 Visa Documentation Deposit is required before the package is released. This is not an additional fee and is separate from the $100 application fee. The full $100 documentation deposit is credited toward your tuition.
Visa documents are issued no earlier than approximately three months before your planned arrival.
You can find the full details here.
Once you receive your visa documentation from the Academy, find the Chinese embassy, consulate, or official Chinese visa application center responsible for your area and follow the application instructions on its website.
You will generally need to complete the X-2 visa application, provide the supporting documents issued by the Academy, and submit your passport and any other materials required by your local visa office. Depending on where you apply, some parts of the application may be completed or reviewed online before you submit your passport.
Application procedures, appointment requirements, processing times, and fees vary by country and visa office, so always follow the instructions provided by the office where you will actually apply.
If you cannot complete the process yourself, third-party visa agencies are available in many countries and can assist for an additional fee. These services may cost more and can add processing time.
Chinese visas cannot be applied for more than 90 days in advance. Depending on when you apply and pay the visa documentation fee, the Academy may prepare visa documentation no earlier than three months prior to your planned arrival date. We generally recommend apply for the visa 1 - 2 months before arrival, but, in case of last minute applications, the visa process can sometimes be completed in as little as 2 weeks, as long as everything goes smoothly.
However, processing times vary considerably by country and visa office, so do not leave your application until the last minute.
Please check the current processing times and application requirements for your local Chinese embassy, consulate, or visa center before making travel arrangements.
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to us on our Contact Us page. We’re here to help and ensure you have a rewarding experience at the Maling Shaolin Kung Fu Academy! Enroll Now !