FAQ

Yangshuo and the surrounding area are a paradise of rivers, mountains, caves, and cultural shows. Here’s your adventure menu:

• 🛶 Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River
  Glide gently downriver, steered by a local with a long pole.
  Insider tip: Bring flip-flops — your feet will probably get wet.
• 🚤 Li River cruise
  See the iconic landscape on the 20 yuan note.
  Insider tip: Go early morning for the mist, or late afternoon for golden light.
• 🦋 Butterfly Caves
  Mix of caves, views, and quirky performances.
  Insider tip: Wear good shoes — it’s slippery inside.
• 🛍 West Street shopping
  Souvenirs, snacks, bars, and lots of neon lights.
  Insider tip: Bargain politely — it’s expected.
• ⛰ Ruyi Mountain
  Panoramic views via cable car or glass bridge.
  Insider tip: Don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights.
• 🏯 Xingping Ancient Town
  Cobblestones, old houses, and postcard-perfect scenes.
  Insider tip: Best visited on weekdays — weekends get crowded.
• 🎭 Romantic Park & Liu Sanjie Light Show
  Outdoor spectacle with the river as the stage.
  Insider tip: Bring mosquito spray — they love audiences too.
• 🌸 Shangri-La Cultural Park
  Traditional costumes, music, and folk culture.
  Insider tip: Yes, you can dress up. Yes, you’ll look awesome.
• 🍵 Tea ceremony in Chinese clothes
  A calm, meditative ritual with beautiful costumes.
  Insider tip: Don’t chug the tea — it’s about sipping slowly.
• 🚶 Walks, bikes, or scooters along the Yulong River
  Peaceful, scenic, and full of photo ops.
  Insider tip: Sunset is magic hour — bring a camera.
• 🌙 Moon Hill
  A natural arch with stunning views.
  Insider tip: Bring water — the climb is sweaty but worth it.
• 🛒 Lipu Market
  Loud, colorful, and full of smells you’ll never forget.
  Insider tip: Go with a local or a classmate — you’ll see (and taste) more that way.

A:
Oh yes. Welcome to Yangshuo, where you won’t just meet Tai Chi masters — you’ll also meet the local insect population 🦟🦎.

• Mosquitoes: Think of them as overly curious neighbors who want to know everything about you… especially your blood type. They’re most active in the hot and humid months (spring through early autumn). In summer, it’s practically a mosquito festival, so pack repellent unless you want to be the main attraction.
• Geckos: These little wall-climbers are basically the unpaid security staff of your room. They look like tiny dinosaurs, but don’t worry — they only eat bugs. Some students even give them names.
• Other crawlers: Ants, spiders, and mystery bugs sometimes make an appearance. They’re harmless, but they like to remind you that this is not a five-star hotel in Shanghai — it’s a Tai Chi school in rural China. Nature comes included, free of charge.

👉 How to keep the peace:

• Bring mosquito spray or buy the local heavy-duty stuff (Chinese brands mean business).
• In summer, long sleeves in the evening are your best friend. In winter, mosquitoes take a holiday, so you can relax.
• Close your windows at night unless you’d like extra visitors.
• Keep your room tidy, and let the geckos do their night shift.
• Optional: practice Tai Chi patience if a bug wanders into your bathroom.

💡 Side Note: Master Kim has a collection of local mosquito repellents and treatments if you need them. And in the community room, you’ll find a treasure chest of leftover sprays and lotions from past students — perfect if you like to experiment or forgot your own.

So yes, you’ll meet a few critters — but most are harmless, and after a few days you might even find the geckos kind of cute.

Cars and motorbikes? Nope. To drive those in China you need a Chinese driver’s license, and even an international license won’t help you here. So unless you plan on settling down and taking the local driving test, that’s off the table.

But don’t worry—there’s good news. You can rent an electric scooter or a bicycle, and there are several rental places close to the school. Prices are pretty friendly:

• Scooters: around 30–40 yuan per day
• Bicycles: around 20 yuan per day
  And if you rent for several days, you can often bargain for a better deal.

A few scooter survival tips:

• They’re all electric, so you’ll need to charge them. Ask the school if there’s a free spot to park and plug in.
• Keep a close eye on your battery—rental scooters are famous for running out of power at the most inconvenient moments (usually halfway up a hill).
• Always ride carefully. Chinese traffic can sometimes feel like a live-action video game—best played on “easy mode.” 🚦

So, while you won’t be cruising around in a car or motorcycle, a scooter or bike is more than enough to explore the beautiful surroundings and get a taste of local life.

Yes… and no. Let me explain.

For vegetarians, life is pretty good here. The dining room has a big round table that usually holds 8–10 different dishes. Think of it like a culinary carousel— the table spins, and you just pick what you like and skip what you don’t. On any given day you might find dishes with broccoli, tofu, lotus root, pickled cucumber, eggplant, potatoes, or pak choi. Of course, you’ll also see meat dishes—pork, chicken, beef, or fish—so the variety is wide.

For vegans, things get a little trickier. Most dishes are cooked the traditional Chinese way, which usually means soy, oil, and sometimes a dash of mystery. If you’re a strict vegan, you’ll probably find it challenging, but not impossible.

Rice lovers, rejoice: there’s always a rice cooker ready for you. And while chopsticks are the standard, no one will judge you for grabbing a fork or spoon.

Meals look like this:

• Breakfast: Our beloved “kitchen momma” whips up Chinese porridge, eggs, and sometimes fruit. In the fridge you’ll find milk, yogurt, cereals, and oats. Instant coffee makes an occasional appearance (usually with milk). For hot water, there’s an electric kettle waiting for you.
• Lunch & Dinner: Freshly cooked meals with around 10 dishes, laid out on the big round table. Take as much as you like—just don’t waste food, the cook takes that personally.
• Special requests: Sometimes you can ask Master Kim for something different, but keep it reasonable—it has to work for the whole group.

One last thing: don’t expect salt, pepper, ketchup, or other condiments on the table. The Chinese kitchen does just fine without them.

Oh, and no seating drama—there’s no “pecking order.” Sit anywhere you like, spin the table, and enjoy.

Mostly yes — but let’s keep it real.

Jima is still very much a village, surrounded by rice fields, hills, and nature. On some nights it’s wonderfully calm, with only the crickets to keep you company. On other nights… well, nature and neighbors have their own plans. You might hear:

• 🎶 Cicadas singing like they’re auditioning for a rock band
• 🐦 Birds having early-morning arguments
• 🐔 Chickens announcing the sunrise (sometimes earlier than you’d like)
• 🧨 Neighbors setting off the occasional fireworks (yes, even on random weekdays)
• 🐕 A dog practicing its barking marathon all night long
• 🐿️ Squirrels staging wrestling matches on the roof

It’s not predictable — one night is pure silence, another is a village symphony. But in general, the surroundings are peaceful and calm, and most students get used to the sounds quickly. Some even find it part of the charm of living in rural China.

Pro tip: If you’re a very light sleeper, bring earplugs — just in case the squirrels throw an all-night p

The short answer: Yes, it’s very safe.
Jima Village (and nearby Yangshuo) is one of the safest places you’ll probably ever live. People are kind, helpful, and often go out of their way to make sure you’re okay. Sometimes literally—they might walk you all the way to the place you asked for, just to help you find it.

• 🛡 Safety:
  • Theft is practically unheard of here. In fact, it’s more common that locals chase you down to return money or belongings you accidentally left behind.
  • Even at night, it’s calm and safe. Just use common sense and keep a normal eye on your things.
  • The roads are… well, creative. Don’t be surprised to see scooters without lights, or a grandma balancing a two-meter gas bottle on her bike. Families (plus dog, plus soup pot) all on one scooter? Totally normal. You’ll get used to it.
• 🈶 Language:
  • Master Kim speaks “Chinglish” (half Chinese, half English, full of charm).
  • The other staff don’t speak English, but they communicate with hands, feet, and big smiles.
  • On the street, English is hit or miss, but many locals will quickly grab their phone and open a translator app.
  • Learn a few basics:
    • Xiè xiè (谢谢) = thank you
    • Méiyǒu (没有) = not available / doesn’t exist
• 🙏 Local Etiquette & School Rules:
  • This is a Tai Chi school, not a hotel. So don’t ask staff to serve you coffee like you’re at Starbucks—it’s slightly painful for Master Kim 😅
  • If you’re not eating at the school, let Master Kim know.
  • If you can’t make it to class, let Master Kim know too.
  • If you ever feel unwell (say you swallowed tap water while brushing your teeth), Master Kim has ways to help.
  • In the dining room:
    • Clean up after yourself.
    • Bring your bowl to the sink.
    • Toss your trash (no need to separate).
    • Leave chopsticks in the sink.
  • Other basics:
    • No smoking in the rooms 🚭
    • Save water and electricity 💡💧
    • Respect the calm environment 🧘

In short: be polite, be relaxed, and enjoy the laid-back rhythm of village life.

Not really—think of it as a Tai Chi school that also has accommodations, not a hotel with Tai Chi classes. Master Kim does his best to provide many “Western comforts”—air conditioning, Western toilets, Wi-Fi, and normal beds—but at the end of the day, this is a training school, not a holiday resort.

That means life here is simple, and part of the experience is adapting to that simplicity. Meals are shared, cleaning is kept practical (once a week), and the atmosphere is more like a big family than hotel service.

So, if you’re expecting a bellboy, room service, or someone to bring you a cappuccino at breakfast—you’ll probably be disappointed (and Master Kim will definitely be confused 😅).

Instead, think of your stay as a chance to live, train, and eat alongside fellow students, share the daily rhythm of the school, and maybe even enjoy the freedom that comes with not having everything “done for you.”

Well… “close” is relative. The nearest bank is about 3.3 km away in Yangshuo—the Bank of China. It’s foreigner-friendly, and most international cards will work there if you need to withdraw cash.

But here’s the thing: in China, cash is almost a collector’s item these days. Nearly everyone pays with their phone. Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, street vendors, taxi drivers—you name it—all use QR codes for payment. Blue code = Alipay, green code = WeChat Pay.

The good news is, both apps are quite easy to set up and can be linked to a Mastercard, Visa, UnionPay, or other major cards. With WeChat especially, you can also book trains, flights, taxis, and even hotels directly in the app. Basically—it’s your all-in-one travel buddy.

Tip: Install Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive, link your card, and you’ll breeze through daily life here.

No credit card? No problem. We recommend getting a Skrill card. It’s a prepaid Mastercard you can top up from your regular bank account. You’ll get a physical card, but you can also use the virtual card instantly after registering and loading funds.

The best part? You decide how much money goes on it—so there’s no overdraft, no surprise bills, just safe, controlled spending.

Yes! On the second floor we have the community room — think of it as the school’s version of Netflix, but with more tea and less binge-watching.

Here you’ll find:

• 🍵 A tea table for Master Kim’s evening ceremonies (and your daily caffeine fix).
• 🎱 A pool table — perfect for practicing “Tai Chi with a cue stick.”
• 🏓 A table tennis table, in case you want to train your lightning reflexes outside of push hands.
• 📚 A big book closet filled with all sorts of reading material (and no overdue fees).

The shelves also hide treasures from Master Kim’s hometown: real cinnamon sticks, local teas, and a small-batch herbal balm (think Tiger Balm’s wise cousin — pure, strong, and no mass production).

Oh, and if you forgot your gear (or want a souvenir), you can also pick up school t-shirts, Tai Chi clothes, and shoes here. Stylish, practical, and guaranteed conversation starters back home.

So yes, there’s life after training — whether you want to sip, read, play, or just hang out.

Yes, absolutely. Each floor has its own washing machine, and washing powder is free to use. Considering the warm training conditions (and the humidity), being able to wash your clothes regularly is a real blessing.

Drying lines are available near the machines or close to the rooms, so your clothes can air-dry naturally.

The machines are straightforward once you know the basics. Here’s a simple guide:

How to use the washing machine:

1. Open the lid and put in your clothes. (Don’t overfill—half to two-thirds full works best.)
2. Add washing powder into the detergent compartment.
3. Close the lid.
4. Press the red button (电源 / Power) to turn on the machine.
5. Choose your program:
   • 标准 = Standard wash (good for everyday laundry)
   • 快洗 = Quick wash (shorter cycle, light laundry)
   • 强洗 = Heavy wash (for sweaty training clothes, towels, etc.)
   • 漂洗 = Rinse only
   • 脱水 = Spin only
6. Press the ▶️ button (启动/暂停 / Start/Pause) to begin.
7. Wait until the cycle finishes, then hang your clothes on the drying lines.

Tip: Quick-dry sportswear is perfect for the local humidity—it dries much faster than heavy cotton.

So yes, you can keep your training clothes fresh without needing to pack half your wardrobe from home.

Yes, there is—but let’s set expectations straight.

You can connect to any of the school networks: taichi01, taichi02, or taichi03 with the password taichi123. Simple enough.
The problem? The Wi-Fi signal is… let’s say “shy.” Thick walls, weak coverage, and plenty of interference mean it’s not exactly Netflix-ready.

On top of that, China has strict internet controls: many foreign websites and apps like Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, Gmail, etc., are blocked. To access those, you’ll need a VPN that actually works in China (spoiler: free ones don’t). Paid services like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost sometimes work—but it’s a constant cat-and-mouse game between the VPNs and the government.

A smarter option: eSIM cards.
In recent years, phones that support eSIM (a digital SIM you install via QR code) have made life much easier. Instead of relying on school Wi-Fi or battling with VPNs, you can use an international eSIM that connects to Chinese networks but is managed outside China—so you can often access blocked sites without a VPN.

Our favorite: Hutchison (3) eSIMs (look for the red “3” logo). Get one that covers China, Hong Kong, and Macao. We’ve used these for 3 years—they work well, don’t cost much, and can be installed easily with the Mobimatter app. Plans range from 10 days to a full year.

Pro tips:

• Make sure your phone supports eSIM before buying.

• When installing, use another device (tablet/laptop/phone) to scan the QR code.

• After setup: turn off your home SIM, close Wi-Fi and VPN, and turn on roaming for the eSIM.

• Mobimatter even has a handy widget to track your data right from your home screen.

So yes—there’s Wi-Fi in the school. But if you want smooth internet without the constant Wi-Fi/VPN juggling act, eSIM is the way to go.

Yes — you get your own private room with private bathroom. No dorms, no strangers snoring next to you, just you, your practice, and maybe a mosquito or two who didn’t get the memo.

Your room is simple but cozy, in rustic Chinese style. Think of it as: “not a 5-star hotel, but definitely a 5-star Tai Chi retreat.”

Here’s what’s inside:

• 🛏️ Bed & Furniture: a real bed (not a wooden board, promise), plus a desk, chairs, shelves, and sometimes even a little balcony for sunset tea.
• ❄️ Air Conditioning & Heating: keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter. One button push = instant comfort.
• 🚿 Private Bathroom:
  • Western-style toilet (two flush buttons — choose your adventure 💧💧)
  • Hot shower with overhead “rain” mode and hand shower
  • Wall-mounted hair dryer (so you don’t need to Tai Chi-fan your hair dry)
  • Heating lamps to make you feel like a dumpling in a warm steamer
  • Electric water heater for hot water (flip the switch and give it a few minutes)
  • 🧴 Extras provided: shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush + toothpaste, and fresh towels (so you can pack lighter).
• 🔌 Electricity: universal outlets + USB ports. 220V — so no, your hair straightener won’t explode.
• 🍵 Drinking Water & Kettle: bottles of water and a kettle for tea. (Sorry, no room service latte — this is a Tai Chi school, not Starbucks 😉).
• 🔑 Door & Security: each room has its own key and lock. Your space = your sanctuary.
• 🎐 Decoration & Comfort: wall art, carpets, and that unmistakable peaceful “you’re-in-China” feeling.

More than you’d expect! The school isn’t just about stretching and slow punching — it’s also a little cultural playground.

• 🈶 Chinese language classes
  Learn to say more than “xièxiè” and “nǐ hǎo.” You’ll be amazed how far “Wǒ yào miàn” (I want noodles) can take you.
  Insider tip: Download Pleco or Baidu Translate before class — makes life much easier.
• ✒️ Calligraphy lessons
  Discover the art of brush and ink. At first, your characters may look like drunken stick figures, but don’t worry — practice brings beauty.
  Insider tip: Wear something you don’t mind splattering with ink. It happens.
• 🎨 Fan painting
  Paint your own martial-arts fan. Warning: if you paint a dragon, you’re legally required to wave it dramatically at least once. Fan will be provided by the teacher.
  Insider tip: Fans fold — test yours after the paint dries.
• 💆 Tuina massage
  The perfect fix for sore training muscles. It can be intense, but you’ll float out feeling reborn.
  Insider tip: Drink warm water afterwards — it helps flush out toxins.
• 🎬 Movie nights with Master Kim
  Expect kung fu classics, Chinese dramas, or something surprising.
  Insider tip: No popcorn provided, but peanuts or sunflower seeds work just fine.
• 🎶 Chinese instrument lessons
  Try your hand at guzheng, erhu, or flute. You might sound like a dying goose at first, but everyone claps anyway.
  Insider tip: Ask someone to record your first attempt — comedy gold.
• 🥟 Cooking & Dumpling making
  Hands-on, fun, and edible. No shame in eating your practice pieces.
  Insider tip: Don’t wear black — flour has a way of finding you.

A:
First of all — don’t panic. You’re in good hands here. Master Kim has prepared for this with a special box in the community room boldly labeled “Doctor Yourself” 🩹. Inside you’ll find the essentials:

• Band-aids for when your sword form meets your shin,
• Muscle cream for when enthusiasm outruns flexibility,
• Remedies for upset stomachs (yes, even after that questionable street snack),
• Rehydration salts for when the Yangshuo heat gets the best of you.

But let’s say you need more than DIY medicine. No problem:

• Local doctors are on call and can even make a house call to the Tai Chi school.
• You can choose from Western medicine or Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture, herbs, etc.).
• Yangshuo has a clean, reliable hospital, and private dental clinics are easy to find if your tooth decides to rebel.

👉 A few tips to be extra safe:

• If you’re taking regular medication, bring enough supply for your stay and a note with details (name, dosage, what it’s for).
• Always travel with good medical insurance that covers China — better safe than sorry.
• Make sure your vaccinations are up to date before traveling.

In short: from minor cuts to bigger worries, we’ve got you covered. So relax, train hard, and let the healing energy flow — whether it comes from Master Kim’s magic box, a doctor’s visit, or a well-placed acupuncture needle.

Mostly Chen Style Tai Chi — the “original flavor” of Tai Chi. It’s the oldest style, full of spirals, soft flowing movements, and sudden bursts of power that make you feel like a mix between a philosopher and a kung fu movie extra.

But here’s the thing: Master Kim isn’t just a one-style wonder. Yes, he’s a Chen Style master, but he also welcomes students from all Tai Chi backgrounds. Yang, Wu, Sun, even the “I-saw-it-on-YouTube Style” — he’s helped them all. He’s known for being very good at guiding students who already practice other styles, so you’ll never feel out of place.

And the buffet doesn’t stop there:

• Qigong to open up your breath, balance, and energy (plus it’s a great excuse to wave your arms around and call it training).
• Pushing Hands, where you test your balance and discover how surprisingly difficult it is to stay calm while your partner is trying to move you.
• Weapons training — staff, straight sword, broad sword, and even the elegant fan. (Nothing says “deadly grace” like snapping open a fan in slow motion.)
• Sprinkles of Yang Style and mixed routines to give you variety.
• For the adventurous: a taste of Shaolin Gong Fu, to spice things up.

So while the foundation here is Chen Style, the atmosphere is open and flexible. Beginners get patient guidance, experienced practitioners get new depth, and everyone learns something valuable — often more than they expected.

• 🌞 Summer (June–September): Hot, humid, and sweaty. Training in 30+°C with high humidity can feel like doing Tai Chi in a sauna. Luckily, Master Kim has installed two huge air conditioners in the dojo to keep things bearable. You’ll still sweat, but at least you won’t melt.
• 🍂 Autumn (October–November): Still warm, less humid, and very pleasant for training.
• ❄️ Winter (December–February): Cold and damp. There’s no central heating in most buildings, so pack layers. Think hoodies, sweaters, and maybe even thermal underwear if you don’t like the chill.
• 🌸 Spring (March–May): Mild and fresh, sometimes rainy, with lots of green everywhere.

Packing tip:
Bring light, breathable clothes for summer (quick-dry sportswear is a lifesaver) and warm layers for winter. And remember, training outdoors in nature is part of the experience—so dress wisely, and let the weather train your patience as much as your Tai Chi.