Shandong Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage – Zhanglu Chaquan

LIAOCHENG, China, Feb. 12, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

Zhanglu Chaquan is a distinguished branch of long boxing, a traditional Chinese martial art. Originating from Zhanglu Hui Ethnic Town in Shen County, Shandong Province, it is an integral part of the well-known saying: “Southern Fists, Northern Kicks, Shandong Chaquan.” Sharing common roots with Guan County Chaquan, Zhanglu Chaquan is a treasure of Hui martial arts culture.

According to legend, Chaquan dates back to the late Ming Dynasty amid the resistance against Japanese pirates. A Hui martial artist fell ill while passing through Shandong after enlisting in the anti-piracy campaign. In gratitude for the care provided by the local Hui people, he passed on his martial arts knowledge, which later evolved into Chaquan, named in his honor.

Image: Chaquan Basic Training

In the Qing Dynasty, renowned Chaquan masters from Guan County, including Li Laocong and Zhang Qian, traveled to Zhanglu Town to teach, training a new generation of grandmasters such as Cai Changqing and Ma Xianlong. Over time, Zhanglu became known as the “second homeland” of Chaquan. During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, practitioners of Zhanglu Chaquan formed a suicide squad to fight against the Japanese invaders, embodying both martial prowess and nationalistic spirit.

Image: Chaquan – Guo Liancheng, the 14th-generation inheritor of Chaquan, demonstrates a double-hook technique in a martial arts studio, showcasing a combination of precision, strength, and power.

Zhanglu Chaquan is a highly structured and comprehensive system that includes Ten-Road Chaquan, Three-Road Huaquan, and Four-Road Hongquan. Its arsenal of weapons includes sabers, swords, staffs, and double hooks. Inspired by five animal forms — the dragon, tiger, snake, crane, and monkey — it emphasizes seamless coordination of “hands, eyes, body, stance, and movement,” integrating mind, strength, and internal energy. 

The techniques follow a ten-character guiding principle: compact, small, flexible, soft, skillful, deceptive, swift, firm, crisp, and fluid. Zhanglu Chaquan is known for its graceful yet explosive movements, clear offensive and defensive strategies, and a refined balance between hardness and softness.

Zhanglu Chaquan is not only a means of combat and fitness but also serves as a living embodiment of Hui cultural heritage and national pride. Its rich history reflects a legacy of heroic resistance against Japanese pirates and invaders and its role in fostering ethnic unity. Today, as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, Zhanglu Chaquan is undergoing a revival through educational programs and digital dissemination, securing its place as a vital symbol of Chinese martial arts tradition.