Tien Shan Pai

Tien Shan Pai belongs to the Northern style; and therefore contains Northern style characteristics but it also contains ‘Ing shou’ or ‘sound rhythym’, which is a particular feature of the style. Tien Shan Pai students have developed a reputation for excellence and compete successfully in full contact fighting, forms and weapons competitions in national, major international and world tournaments. Tien Shan Pai also emphasises moving to the side (called ‘Mizong Pu’, meaning ‘lost step’). Together, these two concepts give the practitioner what some have called the art of disappearing and has proven itself very effective in Kuoshu Lei Tai fighting.

Legend has it that Tien Shan Pai was practiced by monks who lived in a temple nestled among the snow-capped peaks of that region's rugged terrain. As the story goes, a young herdsman was searching for lost animals and wandered too far from home. The grasslands he knew so well suddenly looked unfamiliar and he realised that he was lost. Noticing an old monk with a long white beard approaching nearby, the boy stopped him and asked for directions. When he returned to his village, the boy told his mother about the old monk. She replied that he had met Tien Shan Lao Learn, a monk who was noted for his martial arts skills. The mother encouraged her son to find the monk and learn his martial arts secrets. The young boy set out to find the old monk. His quest carried him deep into the mountains. Mile after mile, he searched out but could not find the old monk. At the point of physical exhaustion, the young boy stopped at a nearby stream to quench his thirst. While kneeling by the stream, he saw a reflection of a beautiful temple nestled in a snow-capped mountain. Sensing that he was close, the young boy continued his search for the old monk.

After a long journey into the mountains, the boy found the temple, but his hopes were dashed when the monk refused to accept him as a disciple. They were not permitted to teach outsiders, the monk explained. Instead of going home as they suggested, they boy knelt in the snow outside the temple doors. On the second morning, he was discovered lying unconscious from the cold and was taken into the temple. Seeing his determination, the old monk reconsidered. Tien Shan Lao Learn decided to teach the boy, whom he nicknamed Hong Yein (Red Cloud) because of the mist that rose from his bleeding knees. He stayed in the temple until he grew to manhood, and when he left, he eagerly passed on his skills to other dedicated students. Hong Yein Chu Shih, was the first to teach the monk's martial artistry to the outside world, is regarded as the founder of Tien Shan Pai.

Historical Perspective

Tien Shan Pai originated in the Xinjiang (新疆) in Northwest China. Xinjiang has a long history. The area was called Xiyu in ancient China which means 'West Region'. It was plundered by the Huns before the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). During the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD), Xinjiang was treated as an integral part of the nation's territory. Since then, Xinjiang was governed by all successive dynasties. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region covers over 1,600,000 square kilometers (617,763 square miles), one-sixth of China's total territory, making it China's largest province. Historical evidence suggests that Taoism was introduced into Xinjiang from inland China by Han migrants around the fifth century. Although, like many temples, shrines and tombs in China, the location of the temple referred to in the founding legend has been lost, it is still regarded as the legendary root of Tien Shan Pai.

A more recent description of our history would be from Grandmaster Wang Chueh-Jen. He was very small in stature and was not able to enlist in the military, however, due to his very high level of skill in the martial arts, the military hired him to teach combat training to the Special Forces. This training consisted of fighting and combat training, and Wang would have to train with these men hands on. It was from this fighting experience that he developed ‘Radar’ fighting, which gives practitioners the ability to better judge their opponent's movements.

Grandmaster Wang Chueh-Jen appointed Grandmaster Huang Chien-Liang as the 64th Generation aire to Tien Shan Pai. Grandmaster Huang Chien-Liang lineage is world renowned.

In the United Kingdom the Master Instructor for Tien Shan Pai is Master Rob Simpson (Yuan Xiang) he is a 65th Generation Disciple of Grandmaster Huang Chien-Liang. Master Simpson is supported in the promotion and development of Tien Shan Pai by fellow 65th Generation Disciples Master Suzie Simpson (Yuan Jing) and Master Loukas Georgiou (Yuan Shen).

Master Simpson has been given special permission from Grandmaster Huang to create 66th Generation Disciples.

In the early 1950's when there were no weight classes, no rounds, and the only protection was a pair of thin cotton gloves. In 1957, one of the biggest and most famous tournaments in the world was held, this was the Kan-Tai Hauo (Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau) and it contained some of the best fighters from all around, including some very famous fighters originally from mainland China. In this tournament, they divided into three weight categories and added time rounds. Tien Shan Pai proved very effective at this prestigious event, with Wu Ming-Zhe winning in the lightweight division. When a student reaches a high enough level in the Tien Shan Pai system, they train in the advance method of ‘Tien Ing’ or ‘Tien Shan Eagle’.

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