Ming Dynasty to Modern Days

At the end of Ming Dynasty China was in chaos. Many scholars started to learn Wushu in the hope to fight against the Manchus who were to invade central China and found the Qing dynasty. Among them were Huang Songxi and Guo Yanwu, who, not only practiced Wushu but also wrote books about it, which played an important role in promoting Shaolin Wushu.
After the 1911 Revolution which overthrew China's last feudal dynasty, Wushu masters were regarded as hatchet men of officials and wealthy people. Although sometimes they were asked to hold a contest, it was merely a show for fun. Under such circumstances, Shaolin Wushu, like all other schools. could not develop.

In 1928, Warlord Shi Yousan set fire to Shaolin Monastery. It burned for over forty days. The main structures and many valued cultural relics were wiped out. Literature on Shaolin Wushu such as the "Orthodox Shaolin Skills," "Secrets of Shaolin Boxing" and " The Essence of Shaolin Boxing" were lost in the fire.

The ancient structures have been restored in recent years. Specialists have been organized in the national, provincial and county sports commissions to collect materials from monks, Wushu masters and from common people. So far, 166 routines of boxing and weapon combat have been sorted out; written good conditions for the comprehensive development of Shaolin Wushu. Shaolin Wushu has now become a popular event in sports meets in China.