Taiji quan (also spelled t’ai-chi ch’üan or simply t’ai-chi) can be translated as “Supreme Ultimate boxing.” It is a national intangible cultural treasure and has a long history. Its mixture of Daoist and Ruist spiritual philosophy combines strength, balance, posture, and concentration with calm breath. It is considered capable of healing and preserving one’s health. This national treasure has become a physical exercise that is learned by people everywhere and of every age.

There are many theories about the origin of taiji boxing. Three schools, or styles, of taiji—the Yang style, the Wu style, and the Zhaobao style (named after a town in Wenxian county, Henan), all maintain that Zhang Sanfeng (n.d., probably between late twelfth century and early sixteenth century) originated the practice. The three schools join together on the ninth day of the fourth month to feast, pay homage, and perform rituals to commemorate his birth.

Many styles of taiji evolved over a long stretch of time, beginning with Zhang Sanfeng. The most renowned are the “Five Styles of Taiji Boxing”: the Chen style, the Yang style, the Wú style, the Wŭ style, and the Sun style. Each style has a different origin story. Practitioners of the Chen style believe that taiji originated with Chen Wangting (1580–1660). The Yang style was said to have started as “soft boxing,” a style of martial arts that began with Yang Luchun (1799–1872) from Yongnian, Hebei. His skill in martial arts was superb and he was known for his soft style. Later, after he became well-known in Beijing, his boxing style was called taiji boxing. Wú Quanyou (1834–1902) is credited as the founder of Wú style taiji boxing. He was of Manchu origin and studied with Yang Luchan and his second son, Yang Banhou (1837–1892). Eventually, Wú became a recognized master in his era. Wŭ Yuxiang (1812–1880) combined his years of experience with elements from both the Yang style and the Zhaobao style. The Sun style was developed by Sun Lutang (1861–1932) of Wanxian, Hebei. He had been taught by the great master Hao Weizhen (1849–1920). In addition to these five famous styles, there are many others, including Master Zheng’s style, Gu style, Li simplified style, and Chen’s Xinyi Hunyuan style.

In the 1950s, the China National Sports Commission (now General Administration of Sport) simplified taiji boxing in order to popularize the sport and meet national competition standards. The most popular entry into taiji boxing is the twenty-four techniques.

There have been a number of manuals and treatises written about taiji boxing. Some representative titles are the Taiji quan jing (Canon of taiji boxing) by Zhang Sanfeng and the Taiji quan lun (Treatise on taiji boxing) by Wang Zongyue (fl. ca. 1573–1620). Many schools of taiji had their own manuals which were handed down to later generations. A few such titles are: Yang Chengfu’s Taiji quan shuo shiyao (Ten essentials of taiji boxing), the Yang Chengpu jiachuan shouchao taiji quan laopu (Handwritten manuals handed-down from Yang Chengpu’s family), Taiji fa shuo (Explanation of taiji methods), Chenshi taiji quan tushuo (Chen style taiji boxing illustrated), and the Yang style’s Banhou jiujue (Nine essential secrets of Yang Banhou).

There are many techniques used in taiji; in addition to bare-handed boxing, pushing-hands, free-style grappling, or fist fighting, there are also assisted techniques that employ a range of weapons from swords, sabers, spears (or lances) to the square-top painted halberd. Each weapon employs a different method, application, and set of movements. Furthermore, the China National Sports Commission developed a style of pushing-hands which combines styles from various schools. It can be used for two-person training or for performance.

Hong Kong’s taiji movement probably started before the Second World War. When the gentle and slow taiji boxing was first introduced to Hong Kong, its practicality was often questioned. However, those masters who came to Hong Kong were all well-grounded, and they developed new styles which the local people found suitable. The first style of taiji taught in Hong Kong was the Yang style; it was only later that the Wú style was introduced. After these two, the Chen style arrived in the 1970s, and the Sun style and He style (namely Zhaobao style) arrived in the 1980s. Relatively few people in Hong Kong studied Wŭ style taiji. Later, national standards and simplified forms such as the “twenty-four techniques,” “forty-two techniques,” and “forty-eight techniques” were introduced to Hong Kong. The government at this time began to actively promote taiji boxing.