Chinese boxing or Kung Fu is one of the oldest fighting arts known to the mankind. Kung Fu being a part of Chinese culture has a history as long and as confusing as the Chinese history itself. Therefore it is impossible to write about the history and roots of Chinese Martial Arts in a few pages. So what you will find here is a brief history of Chinese Martial arts in general and Hung Gar in specific.

Learning about the history and origins of a style is very important as it will help and improve understanding of the style and increase your knowledge of technique, tradition, philosophy and principles of the style one practices. As mentioned before Kung Fu is a part of Chinese culture and by learning about the history of Kung Fu you will also learn about the Chinese culture, traditions, religion, philosophy and way of living in general. The development of Kung Fu in general has been greatly influenced by many elements of Chinese culture such as religion, beliefs, philosophy and politics.

Buddhism and Taoism especially had a strong influence and played an important role in the development of Kung Fu. For example, a fundamental teaching of Taoism, Yin Yang. Two basic principles, which govern the universe, can be found in many different Chinese Martial Arts. Yin and Yang, a cosmic dualistic approach where two opposing forces flow into one another and constantly interacts to create all things and all development. Yin represents the negative or passive female principle. Yang represents the positive or active male principle. According to Taoist, these two inseparable forces where one cannot exist without the other are the basic principles of the universe. These principles had a strong influence on the development of Chinese martial art systems. Buddhism has also played a great role on the development of Chinese martial arts. The legendary shaolin Kung fu of the Buddhist temple is the best example of this.

Wong Kay Ying and Wong Fei Hung gained fame as belong to the illustrious "Ten Tigers of Guangdong", a group of the top ten martial arts masters in Guangdong province. Another master from the ten tigers was Tiet Kiu Sam, whose real name was Leung Kwan. He was also a Hung Gar master, whose master, Kwok Yan Sin Si, had also learned at the Southern shaolin Temple under Gee Sim. Tiet Kiu Sam's top student, Lam Fook Shing also played an important role in Hung Gar history, because he taught young Wong Fei Hung the internal energy form, Tiet Sien Kuen (Iron Wire Form). Wong Fei Hung was a martial arts prodigy, and also learned traditional Chinese medicine from his father. Both had earned excellent reputations for their medicine and martial arts, which usually went hand in hand in old China. There were also many adventures that Wong Fei Hung was involved in, from training the military and being the leader of the Canton militia, to a famous fight on the docks of Hong Kong where the dockyard workers attacked him. The story goes that he fought over a hundred men some armed with sticks and metal hooks. He was armed with a long staff, and had to fight and run, fight and run, just to save his life. Wong Fei Hung also had many wives and children. Sadly the first 3 wives all died of illnesses, and gangsters in the streets of Hong Kong killed his eldest son, Wong Hon Sum. After this tragedy, he refused to teach any of his children martial arts; for fear that evildoers would try to get to him through his children.

Wong Fei Hung's 4th wife was Mok Gwai Lan, incidentally, a master of Mok Gar Kung Fu. The story of their meeting is rather ironic, because Wong and his students were performing a lion dance and kung fu demonstrations, when his shoe accidentally came off and struck Mok in the face. Despite Wong's attempts to apologize, she slapped him and scolded him like a little boy. Wong became infatuated with the girl, whom he later married and had children with. Mok Gwai Lan was responsible for the women's kung fu and gynecology at her husband's school and clinic, Po Chi Lum. Later on in life, at age 87, she gave a powerful performance of Fu Hok Seung Ying on HKTV, showing her high level of skill, and the benefits of good training.

Lam Sai Wing is widely considered as one of the best martial artist of his time. He was born (1860) in Ping Chow, a small village in Namhoi district of Kwangtung province. He grew up at a time when China was still under the rule of the Ch'ing government and the people were suffering from poverty, hunger and oppression. It is said that Lam Sai Wing was born into a family of martial artist and started learning Kung Fu from very young age under his father. Because of his hard work and dedication as well as his strong interest and natural ability in Kung Fu he progressed rapidly and in time mastered his family style. Over the years as Lam grew up, he trained under many other well known Kung Fu masters always trying to improve his skill and knowledge in Kung Fu. As a young man he earned his living working in a slaughterhouse as a pork butcher. Because of his trade he was also known by the nickname Porky Wing (Jhiu Wing).

Lam Sai Wing's search for a Kung Fu master finally ended when he heard about the legendary folk hero Wong Fei Hung. Lam had heard so much about Wong Fei Hung that one day he decided to go and see him to find out if Wong Fei Hung was as good as everyone had been talking about. It is said that Lam respectfully challenged Wong Fei Hung and asked to cross hands with him to test his skills. The challenge however didn't last long and despite his already accomplished skills Lam was no match for Wong Fei Hung. He was knocked down to the ground by Wong 's famous "No shadow Kick"(Mo Ying Guerk). Lam being defeated easily realized there was much he could learn from this great master. He kneeled on the floor and asked to be accepted as Wong Fei Hung's disciple.

Lam Sai Wing stayed and trained under Wong Fei Hung until the day Wong passed away. Over many years of hard training, Lam learned and mastered everything his master taught him, including his famous skills in dit da. He eventually became the most famous and well-known student of Wong Fei Hung. As mentioned earlier, open challenges in old times were common and all challenges were accepted to save face and as a part of Kung Fu tradition any challenges to the master were first met by one of his top students. This being the case, Lam faced many expert Kung Fu fighters who came to cross hands with his master. Lam Sai Wing's fame spread all over Kwangtung and he became a well-known and respected figure. Lam's fame grew even more when he entered a competition in Canton. Lam using his Hung Gar skills defeated all his opponents and won the fist prize. There are many stories/incidents about Lam Sai Wing, his Kung Fu skills and how he became to be one of the best boxers of his time. One of the best known and much talked about of these is the incident that took place at the Lok Sin Theatre.

Lam Sai Wing was a kind and honest person and always helped those in need. His deeds are still remembered to this day. On one occasion in the early days of the republic Lam demonstrated his Kung Fu skills in a charity event to raise money for an orphanage in Canton (Kwangjau). The president Sun Yat Sen was also present at this event. (Sun Yat Sen (1866-1925) was a famous revolutionary leader and doctor who is widely recognized as the father of republican China. After overthrowing the Manchu's in 1911 Sun Yat Sen was elected as the provisional president of the new Republic of China on 25 December 1911). Sun Yat Sen was very impressed by Lam Sai Wing and honored Lam by giving him a medal for all his deeds and efforts for helping those in need.

Lam was an excellent teacher and taught his skills openly to the public. Mass of students from all over southern China came to study under him. Lam Sai Wing being an excellent teacher produced many talented and high caliber students. He was also asked to instruct the army in martial arts and became the head instructor for the new Republics Chinese army in Canton.

Lam Sai Wing did not have children of his own, but adopted a young orphaned boy (Lam Jo) whose parents had passed away when the boy was still very young. Lam Sai Wing loved and raised Lam Jo like his own son, gave him his family name and passed down all his Hung Gar knowledge as well as teaching him the traditional art of bone setting and healing (dit da). Some years after the fall of Ch'ing Dynasty and in early years of the Republic, Lam Sai Wing was invited to live and teach in Hong Kong. Lam Sai Wing eventually moved to Hong Kong, taking his nephew with him. Soon after moving to Hong Kong, Lam Sai Wing set up the Southern Martial Physical Culture Association where he continued teaching Hung Gar until his death in 1943.

Lam Sai Wing's endless efforts to teach, preserve and spread the art of Hung Gar are well known. Lam with the help of his students popularized Hung Gar even more when he published three books on hung gar: Gung Gee Fook Fu Kuen - Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen and Tid Sin Kuen.

Lam Cho came from Pan Chao in Guangshou. An orphan, he was adopted and raised by his uncle, Lam Sai Wing. When his uncle went to Hong Kong, he went with him to learn martial arts. He was blessed with quick arms, a strong body, and superior physical dexterity. His uncle loved him as his own son, and taught him in the authentic martial arts tradition. He was highly intelligent, and quick to understand all the different styles of kung fu. Throughout his twenty years with his teacher, he accumulated vast experience in kung fu and the art of Chinese medicine. By virtue of his medical expertise, he helped thousands of people. As a young man, he was already helping his Sifu in teaching at the Southern Martial Arts Association and eventually set up his own kung fu studio. His skill was so well known, that people throughout the South referred to him as Sifu even as a young man. He set up another studio in Kowloon, where thousands of students trained. His closest students set up studios to teach as well; thus, those who had his teaching spread across Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and the Hung Gar style became a shining example of excellence in martial arts. Some of Lam Cho's more notable students include Chan Hon Chung, Wong Lee, Chiu Kau, Tang Kwok Wah, Kwong Tit Fu, Lee Yat Ming, Wong Yiu Ching, and Buck Sam Kong. All of them have opened up Kung Fu schools of great renown. Grandmaster Lam was well respected and was invited to give demonstrations for the Navy and Army

Both Chinese and foreigners complimented his performance, and his photo was soon appearing in London newspapers. The school of martial arts spread throughout the globe, enhancing the reputation of the Lam family and the Hung Gar style. Grandmaster Lam traveled far and wide, and never tired of teaching the style his Sifu taught him. He was especially happy and willing to help newcomers to the art. Many of the students that he trained went on to develop great reputations for themselves. All were grateful for his noble deeds, but grandmaster Lam remained humble and peaceful, and was therefore well respected.

When the Japanese invaded Hong Kong, grandmaster Lam's studio burned down, and fighting broke out all across the city. Grandmaster Lam helped maintain the peace and aided the people in their suffering, and his deeds are still remembered to this day. When Hong Kong fell, the Japanese forces went looking for grandmaster Lam, so he returned in secrecy to his village. When the people of his village heard of his return, they immediately entreated him to teach martial arts. Finally, after Hong Kong was liberated, he returned to Hong Kong and set up his studio. He taught, gave medical care, and served as national martial arts consultant for various unions and workers associations. His medical skill was superb, and his principles were especially admirable; he did not take more from the rich, but nonetheless reduced his fees for the poor, to the point of providing free service and medicine. He was compassionate and generous. He accomplished a great deal in his youth, and still enjoys researching and discussing medicine and martial arts every day. The future still holds much in store for grandmaster Lam. His eldest son, Lam Chun Fai, now carries on his Hung Gar teaching.

Lam Chun Fai was born in Hong Kong. His great uncle Lam Sai Wing gave him his name. He started learning Hung Gar kung fu from his father Lam Cho at the age of five. When he was 18, Lam Chun Fai opened his own kung fu school and dit dar (bone-setting) clinic in North Point, Hong Kong. At the same time, he taught kung fu in the Lam Sai Wing and Lam Cho kung fu school as chief instructor. Through the years, Lam Chun Fai has frequently been invited to give demonstrations, lead seminars, and teach private classes all over the world.