The Shaolin Monastery or Shaolin Temple is a Chan Buddhist temple at Song Shan in Zhengzhou City Henan Province. Founded in AD 496 during the Northern Wei dynasty, the monastery is long famous for its association with Chinese martial arts and particularly with Shaolin Kung Fu. This temple is also regarded as the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism.

Upon going into the mountain gate of the Shaolin Temple, the first hall you encounter is characterized by double eaves flanked behind by a Bell Tower and a Drum Tower. Inside the hall are statues of the four Heavenly Kings, each standing divinely while holding his distinctive weapon.

The monastery still boasts a sizable collection of cultural relics, including over 400 pieces of stone carvings from the Northern Qi Dynasty, more than 250 dagobas dated back to the Tang Dynasty and 500 murals painted in the Ming Dynasty.

An ancient Shaolin Master once said: "Study Shaolin style in great depth, then study for wisdom and train the body." This quote embodies the physical and mental strength and discipline required in the study of martial arts. When visiting this monastery, you may have a chance to see the practicing or even performing.