The cohort posing with swords, spears, and red silk fans on the temple steps, Shifu in a gold robe at the center, mountains behind

Erzu Temple Immersion · Sikong Mountain, Anhui

Live and Train Like a Warrior Monk

Train your body. Discipline your mind. Transform your life — inside the sacred Erzu Temple.

Dates1–8 November 2026
LocationErzu Temple, Sikong Mountain, Anhui Province
CohortLimited to 20 participants
Reserve Your Spot See the Daily Schedule
0Seats per Cohort
0Days Immersed
0Generation Lineage
0All-Inclusive

Your Life Inside Erzu Temple

This is not a retreat.
This is a rebirth.

You won't come here to relax. You'll come here to rebuild yourself from the ground up.

  • 武

    Daily Kung Fu Training

    Traditional Shaolin forms; strength, flexibility, and endurance.

  • 禅

    Meditation & Mind Mastery

    Stillness training, breath control, and awareness practices.

  • 戒

    Warrior Discipline

    Early wake-ups, structured routines, and mental toughness conditioning.

  • 寺

    Temple Living

    A minimalist lifestyle, fully immersed in nature.

Through ancient Shaolin discipline, you'll forge unshakable focus, physical resilience, mental clarity, and inner power. You don't leave as the same person who arrived.

A student training in a horse stance under the guidance of a Shaolin monk
Morning forms, guided by a resident Shifu
The 2025 cohort of twenty students with Shifu Shi Yanjun outside the temple gate

Why Erzu

Four reasons this immersion is different

  • 一

    Train With Masters

    Learn from Shifu Shi Yanjun, a 34th-generation Shaolin warrior monk.

  • 二

    Exclusive Access

    Only 20 participants are accepted, so guidance stays personal.

  • 三

    Cultural Immersion

    Live, eat, and train alongside the monks in the sacred Erzu Temple.

  • 四

    Transform Your Life

    Build strength, find inner peace, and gain clarity like never before.

Don't Miss Out — Book Now

The Week Ahead

Your 7-Day Immersion at Erzu Temple

Every day strips away distraction. Every day builds a stronger you. Here's a glimpse of what your week will look like.

Sample weekly timetable: Zen Hall meditation and Main Hall ceremony from 4:00, Kung Fu training morning and afternoon, Chan tea and reflection with Shifu, evening stillness and the Drums and Bell ceremony
Zen Hall — meditation hall Main Hall — Buddhist ceremony hall Drums & Bell Ceremony — the temple towers

This is just a sample schedule. Your weekly schedule will be determined based on your body quality, fitness level, experience, martial arts skill level, age, and interests. The timetable changes depending on the weather and the season.

A Sacred Training Ground

Erzu Temple

Erzu (Second Patriarch's) Temple (二祖寺) in Yuexi County, Anhui (安徽, 岳西县), is one of the most remote I've been to. It sits at the foot of Sikong Mountain (司空山) — a historic setting surrounded by mountains and silence, where discipline and stillness coexist.

Historic temple setting Surrounded by mountains and silence Where discipline meets stillness

What You'll Walk Away With

Real, measurable change

  • Sharpened mental focus
  • Increased physical strength
  • Emotional resilience
  • Deep inner calm
  • A new relationship with discipline

You won't just feel different. You'll operate differently.

Golden Buddha statues inside the temple's main ceremony hall

Your Investment in Transformation

One tier, fully inclusive — paid in two simple steps.

Shared Room

€1,200

  • Immersive Kung Fu training, meditation, and authentic temple life
  • Tea ceremony and lectures
  • Guidance from Shifu Shi Yanjun, 34th-generation Shaolin monk
  • Shared accommodation in the temple
  • Three nourishing, freshly prepared vegan meals per day
  • T-shirt, trousers, and monk robe
Reserve Your Spot Now

Payment Options

1 · Initial Deposit — 50%

A non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total retreat cost guarantees your placement and finalizes arrangements. Accepted via Stripe.

  • Non-refundable: due to the costs of securing your spot and making the necessary arrangements.
  • Transferable: to a friend or family member who meets the retreat requirements. Email info@shaolintemple.com at least 15 days before the retreat start date with their name and contact details.

2 · Final Payment — 50%

The remaining 50% is due in cash upon arrival at Erzu Temple — Chinese Yuan (CNY), US Dollars, Euros, or British Pounds.

Please have the correct amount prepared before your arrival.

By making the initial deposit, you agree to the terms outlined in this payment plan and the retreat registration form. Failure to pay the final balance in cash upon arrival may result in cancellation of your participation.

Only 20 Spots Available

Don't wait until it's full.

This retreat is intentionally limited to 20 participants, to ensure a deeply personal and transformative experience. Spots are filling fast — once they're gone, they're gone.

Reserve Your Spot Before It's Too Late

Don't miss your chance to save and secure your place in this life-changing journey.

Stories of Transformation

This retreat was life-changing. Training with the monks in such a serene environment gave me clarity and strength I never thought possible. I left feeling like a new person.

Susan Ma
Susan Ma
Real Estate Investor, UK
Shifu Shi Yanjun with a group of international students at the temple entrance

Lead Teacher

Shifu Shi Yanjun

34th-generation Shaolin warrior monk and 17th-generation inheritor of Meihua Quan.

Learn More

Supporting the Immersion

Alongside your Shifu

Shi Xingdu, Erzu Temple Abbot

Shi Xingdu

Erzu Temple Abbot

Shi Yanbo, Retreat Manager and Interpreter

Shi Yanbo

Retreat Manager & Interpreter

Take your first step on the Shaolin path today.

Limited spots. Selection process applies.

Reserve Your Spot Now

How It Works

Step-by-Step Booking Process

Note: late registrations may not be considered. Don't hesitate to contact us at info@shaolintemple.com if you have any questions or need assistance booking.

  1. Review Program Details

    Carefully review all program details — dates, curriculum, costs, and accommodation options — to ensure they align with your goals and expectations.

  2. Complete and Submit the Registration Form

    Fill in the registration form accurately and thoroughly, ensuring all information is correct and current, then submit it.

  3. Receive Confirmation

    You will receive an email confirmation of your registration within two business days.

  4. Await Approval

    The program leader, Shifu Shi Yanjun, will review your registration and notify you of the decision within two business days.

  5. Pay the Program Fee (Upon Acceptance)

    You will receive instructions for paying the deposit. It is non-refundable but transferable to a friend if you cannot attend.

  6. Confirm Your Participation

    Once the deposit is paid, your participation is confirmed and you'll receive full details — accommodation, travel instructions, visa guidance, and a packing list.

Monks in red robes walking through the temple grounds

Erzu's Legacy

Planning Your Trip to China

Getting to Erzu Temple

Travel by Air

Wuhan Tianhe International Airport is the nearest major hub — about 215 km, roughly 2 hours 37 minutes by road.

Travel by Train

Check connections to Yuexi Railway Station (岳西站), about 60 km (a 1-hour journey). High-speed trains may not run directly to Yuexi — you may need to transfer at a larger city such as Hefei or Anqing. Use Trip.com or China Railway's official site (www.12306.cn) to check schedules and book tickets.

Travel by Taxi

Negotiate the fare beforehand, or make sure the meter is running. Show the driver this name and address: 安徽省岳西县店前镇司空山景区 (Ānhuī Shěng Yuèxī Xiàn Diànqián Zhèn Sīkōng Shān Jǐngqū).

Travel by Didi (滴滴)

Didi is China's ride-hailing app. You can book a ride if you have a Chinese phone number with WeChat or Alipay set up for payment.

Before You Go

Frequently Asked Questions

The maximum number of attendees allowed is 20 people.

Yes. We offer private training sessions with Shifu Shi Yanjun for 50 USD per hour.

The temple is not liable for injury or medication costs. If you are injured, seek medical help as soon as possible. We strongly advise purchasing martial arts insurance before you travel.

All students have access to Western-style bathrooms in their accommodation. Around the temple, you will find traditional Chinese squat toilets.

Yes. You must wear your uniform every day that you train. You will receive one T-shirt, one set of black pants, and one monk robe. You may wear any athletic shoes you like.

We do not offer discounts on the training fee for returning students.

Scholarships are not available for retreats.

Lining up for training is mandatory. You will only be excused from the lineup if you are seriously ill, in which case you should alert the administrative staff. Showing up late or missing your lineup time will result in a punishment decided by your Shifu. If a student is late three days in a row, they will receive a formal warning; if the behaviour is not corrected, the student will be dismissed without a refund.

All students who complete the training will receive a formal certification.

Limited to 20 Seats · 1–8 November 2026

Reserve Your Spot at Erzu Temple

Email us to begin your registration. Shifu Shi Yanjun personally reviews every application and replies within two business days.

Start Your Reservation

Or write to us directly at info@shaolintemple.com