There are vague references of a King in China some thousands of years ago who trained his men in techniques of hand-to-hand combat to use in fighting against invading barbarians.

The first real references of an organized system of martial arts came from a man named General Chin Na. He taught a form of combat to his soldiers which most people believe developed into what is modern day Chin-Na. 

The first written record we have of Chinese martial arts is from a Taoist acupuncturist from the 5th century. He describes combat designed along the lines of an animal's movements and style. 

Legend has it that a Bhuddist monk named Bohdiharma, also called Ta Mo, came across the Tibetan Mountains to China. The Emperor of China at the time was much impressed with the man, and gave him a temple located in Honan - the famed Sui Lim Monastery (Shaolin Monastery). Ta Mo found that the monks there, while searching for spiritual enlightenment, had neglected their physical bodies. He taught them some exercises and drills that they adapted into fighting forms. This became the famous Shaolin Kung Fu system. 

"Kung Fu" means "skill and effort". It is used to describe anything that a person needs to spend time training in and becoming skillful in. (A chef can have good "kung fu".) The Chinese term that translates into "military art" is "Wu Shu". 

As all martial arts, Wushu in its early stages of development was practiced primarily for self-defense and for acquiring basic needs. As time progressed, innumerable people tempered and processed Wushu in different ways. By China's Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), Wushu had formed its basic patterns. 

Intense military conflicts served as catalysts for the development of Wushu. During China's Xia, Shang, and Zhou periods (2000BC to 771BC), Wushu matured and formed complete systems of offense and defense, with the emergence of bronze weapons in quantity. During the period of Warring States (770BC to 221BC), the heads of states and government advocated Wushu in
their armies and kept Wushu masters for their own purposes. 

Military Wushu developed more systematically during the Tang and Song dynasties (618 to 1279) and exhibitions of Wushu arts were held in the armies as morale boosters and military exercises. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the general development of Wushu was at its height. Military Wushu became more practical and meticulous, and was systematically classified and summarized . General Qi Jiguang of the Ming Dynasty delved into Wushu study and wrote "A

New Essay on Wushu Arts", which became an important book in China's military literature. 

The latter half of the 20th century has seen a great upswing in the interest of Kung Fu worldwide. The introduction of Kung Fu to the Western world has seen to it that its development and popularity will continue to grow.

The Shao-Lin styles encompass both Northern and Southern styles, and therefore are the basis of the following outline.

1. Shaolin Wushu styles 
1. External Styles (Hard, Physical) 
1. Northern 
1. Northern Shaolin 
2. Chang Chuan (Long Fist) 
3. Praying Mantis 
4. Eagle Claw 
5. Monkey 
6. Drunken, et al 
2. Southern 
1. Southern Shaolin 
2. Wing Chun 
3. Five Animal System (Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Leopard, Crane) 
4. Tiger and Crane Systems, et al 
2. Internal Styles (Soft, Mental/Spiritual) 
1. Tai Chi Chuan 

Others (Pa Kua, Xingyi, et al)