太极拳

Why this place

Tai chi is a Chinese martial art practised slowly, for health as much as for combat — the slow forms train balance, structure and relaxed power, and the practice is now a standard morning activity in Chinese parks. Its main family styles come from specific villages, and those villages still teach.

What to see

• Chenjiagou in Henan, the birthplace of Chen-style tai chi, with its academy
• Wudang Mountain in Hubei, the Taoist mountain associated with the internal arts
• Yongnian in Hebei, for Yang-style tai chi
• Any city park at 7am — Beijing's Temple of Heaven, Shanghai's Fuxing Park, Chengdu's People's Park
• Short beginner courses, which are widely available in the big cities

What to eat

• Nothing specific — but the parks are usually surrounded by good breakfast streets
• Tea after practice, which is the standard social form

How to plan

Join a park session at dawn for one morning — most groups welcome a respectful visitor.

Best time

Any time; spring and autumn mornings are the most pleasant

Practical tips

• Ask before joining and before photographing; the early-morning park groups are a genuine social institution, not a performance