Yongnian, Hebei 河北永年

 

Located in Handan City of Hebei Province, Yongnian County is the hometown of Tai Chi Chuan, and about 70 percent of the population practices this form of Chinese martial arts. The county is especially famous for Guangfu Ancient Town, which is recognized worldwide as a place of pilgrimage for Tai Chi devotees. Surrounded by an artificial river, the town is known as the cradle of both the Yang and Wu Tai Chi schools. Yang Tai Chi, created by Yang Luchan during the reign of the Daoguang Emperor (1820-1850) in the Qing Dynasty, has been handed down for five generations over more than 180 years. It's the most influential and popular Tai Chi style in the world. Other Tai Chi masters in Yongnian include Wu Yuxiang, Li Yishe, Yang Banhou and Hao Weizhen.