This year, I’ve been practicing Wing Tsun for 20 years, and I’ve always wanted to discover the city where my martial art originated: Hong Kong.
Wing Chun (Ving Tsun, Wing Tsun …) wasn’t actually born in Hong Kong (see my previous articles on this subject), but it was from this city and thanks to the teaching of Grand Master Yip Man that Wing Chun emerged from obscurity in the 1950s.
For my first experience in Hong Kong, I wanted to go with someone who could introduce me to the city, the culture of Chinese martial arts and introduce me to local people to practice martial arts. Sifu Alex Richter couldn’t have been a better match! So I took part in the Ultimate Hong Kong Kung Fu Tour organized by Sifu Alex, aka The Kung Fu Genius, and it was really great!
Here are a few pictures and comments from my trip to Hong Kong.
On my first evening in Hong Kong, I had a bit of free time, so I walked along Nathan Road to discover GM Leung Ting’s school at 444-446 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei. This school is in fact the first location of the Ving Tsun Ahletic Association, created by Yip Man in 1967. The VTAA later moved to 3 Nullah Road, Prince Edward, and GM Leung Ting reclaimed the premises to establish his school. Source: personal picture.Lunch break with Eliott, my student, in street food mode before training. Source: personal picture.I had the opportunity and privilege to meet and train with Sifu Robin Tsang at his school in Tsim Tsa Tsui. I’m extremely grateful for his generosity and hospitality. Sifu Robin welcomed Eliott and me for a group class with his students. It was a very rewarding experience, and we discovered some excellent Wing Tsun. In the photo, myself, Sifu Robin and Eliott. Source: personal picture.After training with Sifu Robin, we headed to Victoria Harbour to admire the view. Despite the clouds, the scenery was breathtaking as we took in the skyline of Hong Kong Island buildings. Like many other tourists, an old red junk caught my eye, but in fact there’s nothing authentic about it; the sails aren’t used for sailing, it’s actually a noisy motorboat. You can hop aboard for a tour and discover Hong Kong from the sea. Source: personal picture.The Hong Kong 2024 team almost complete. We really had a great time with these guys!The iconic Bruce Lee statue on the Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui. The best pose is required to immortalize this pic! Source: personal picture.Visit and training at the Hong Kong Martial Club. This place is fabulous and unique in Hong Kong. You could stay here for a day and still not be able to do the whole thing. The Martial Club has a unique library of martial arts books of all kinds, as well as a video library where you can (re)watch most of the Kung Fu films from Golden Harvest, Shaw Brothers… there are also other gems to discover on site. Source: personal picture.The Martial Club is also a martial arts school where several disciplines are taught. Be sure to visit this place if you’re visiting Hong Kong and are a fan of martial arts. Address: Kwai Fong Martial Club, Marvel Industrial Building, Kwai Chung. Website: martialclub.hkAt the Martial Club we had the privilege of practicing with Sifu Mak Chee Kong. A true Hung Gar master who loves to share his profound knowledge. A man of exceptional kindness and generosity.Mak Sifu and myself. Source: personal picture.An episode of “The Kung Fu Genius podcast” was recorded at the Martial Club. Don’t miss this episode it’s awesome 👌. Source: personal picture.Film screening of Wilson Yip’s Ip Man (2008), with commentary by Bey Logan, an expert in the field, who gave us some very interesting anecdotes.The Hong Kong Tour 2024 team at the Martial Club with Bey Logan, Mak Sifu and Ibrahiim.Visit to the Fung Ying Seen Koon Taoist temple in Fanling. A temple of magnificent architecture. Source: personal picture.Still at the Fung Ying Seen Koon temple. Source: personal picture.An interesting photo showing “graye” instead of “grave” by GM Yip Man. Translations from Cantonese to English are sometimes rather approximate in Hong Kong, as evidenced by this sign.Before we pay our respects at GM Yip Man’s grave, we need to clean up a bit.Eliott and I in front of Grand Master Yip Man’s tomb.Visit to the Tsing Shan monastery in Tuen Mun. Source: personal picture.The opening scene of Bruce Lee’s film Enter the Dragon was shot here.A few photos of this spot overlooking Hong Kong. Left: Chum Kiu’s side kick and right: Animal Flow’s side kickthrough.Mongkok. The district where GM Yip Man lived in the last years of his life. Source: personal picture.Ving Tsun Athletic Association (VTAA) headquarters, 3 Nullah Road. Source: personal picture.A statue of Bruce Lee greets visitors at the entrance to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. The museum features a fabulous exhibition on the star, but photos are forbidden…Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. It looks like there really are 10,000 of them… but I didn’t feel like counting them! Source: personal picture.The path up to the monastery is really steep and puts your legs – and your breath – to the test. If you pay attention, you’ll find a statue of a Buddha that looks like Sifu Keith Kernspecht (photo right). At the summit, the aforementioned monastery and a magnificent pagoda (photo left) are there to reward your efforts. Source: personal picture.When GM Yip Man arrived in Hong Kong in 1950, he was welcomed here at the Restaurant Workers Union. He found the opportunity to launch his career as a Wing Chun teacher. The restaurant’s employees became his first students. Today, the restaurant no longer exists, and it’s very likely that local people don’t know this story… Source: personal picture.Wing Chun in Hong Kong started here! Source: personal picture.Visit to Saam Tai Tze temple. GM Yip Man used to give private lessons here in the early 1950s. The temple forecourt offered him a place somewhat hidden from the busy street. Source: personal picture.Visit to the Bruce Lee Club in Hong Kong.A unique place where you’ll find all kinds of great Bruce Lee goodies and books. Website: bruceleeclub.comGroup photo at Sifu Lee Yuen Tim’s school.An authentic Wing Tsun school in Hong Kong. We were warmly welcomed by Sifu Lee.Of course, as in every self-respecting Wing Chun school in Hong Kong, you’ll find an old wooden dummy.If you’re visiting Hong Kong, you can’t miss the view from Victoria Peak. With the sky clear, it’s just breathtaking!One of the last photos I took on a very sunny day. If it hadn’t been for Bruce Lee, I might never have known about Wing Chun, and I might not be practicing this formidable martial art today. Source: personal phicture.
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