Located in central China's Hunan Province, the Meishan Mountain is a blessed location. It plays an important part in Hunan's culture. There has been a tradition among people in Meishan that respects martial arts and literacy since ancient times. Their ancestors developed a unique kind of fist positions.

The Meishan martial art is part of the Southern Style. It was formed to imitate the movements of wild animals in dangerous natural environments. It is all about attacking and defending, a pragmatic fighting skill with no deceptive moves.

Yan Xizheng is the inheritor of the Meishan martial art as a national intangible cultural heritage. Growing up in the Meishan Mountain, he was deeply influenced by the local martial art culture. His prodigious talent gained him recognition by his first master, who took him on such path. At the age of 72, he has acquired the essence of traditional martial arts. The Meishan martial art is famous for its steady stance and intrepid attack. But in Yan's opinion, cultural background is more important than sheer strength.

"Knowing only how to fight, you are foolhardy. If you want to defeat more enemies, you have to be well-educated as well," says Yan.

In 1982, Yan opened his martial art club: Xingwu Club. Other than teaching, he spared no effort in promoting traditional martial art culture.

"Harmony and endurance are precious virtues." Endurance is like a belief for the practitioners. "Only when you can endure the hardship that others couldn't stand, then you can achieve things that others lose and acquire the skills that others could only covet," says Yan.

In addition to the hardship of practicing, people should also learn to tolerate things and know when to stop, because martial arts are a way to keep fit and to protect people, rather than a tool to show off. The good virtue is in their tradition. The practitioners must have it in them.

"Virtue and endurance come first in learning martial arts." 

In his 70s, Yan still practices every day. In his opinion, practicing martial arts is a lifelong benefit. The charm of Chinese martial arts lies in the inclusiveness and convergence of traditional culture and kung fu.