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Dong Haichuan has known to have many students, but few of them were taught his Baguazhang. The majority were instructed in lower level arts, which he generally taught to the Imperial Guards and even to many of his Baguazhang students prior to their introduction into the advanced teachings of the Baguazhang. In 1883, Yin Fu, who was Dong’s top disciple, erected a stele at the tomb of his late instructor. That stele lists the students of Dong Haichuan, but is considered as incomplete by many modern martial scholars. The names that appear on that stele, which is referred to as the First Stele or the Yin Fu Stele, was utilized in the construction of this list, along with other sources. Many of the men that are listed failed to produce any known disciples or have no available information concerning them. Those individuals are not included in this list. If new sources are discovered that provides additional information, they will be added accordingly. This effort is not to document the entire martial legacy or lineage of Baguazhang, but is provided to give a brief overview on many of the principle practitioners of that era. Our focus is on Yin Style Baguazhang and only a limited amount of information will be provided on the other branches of the art. Some of the disciples on this list have a brief sketch concerning their better known students and are indented under their principle instructor.
 Yin Fu (1840-1909) - was the first and most thoroughly taught student of Dong Haichuan. Likewise, he is generally accepted as Dong’s most technicially proficent student, even by other branches of the art. Yin Fu began his training under Dong in the early 1860’s. He accompanied Dong on the trip to Mongolia to collect taxes for the Imperial Family. This mission lasted for close to ten years and during that time the two men were constant companions. While not working, Dong taught Yin Fu all aspects of the art of Baguazhang. Yin Fu received a full transmission of the art and upon returning to Beijing around 1875, started taking on students of his own. There were a few years in which the two men had a falling out. During this time, Dong accepted several other disciples in Baguazhang, but the most any of them studied with him was seven years. That is considerably less than the amount of time that Yin Fu trained with the founder, which was roughly twenty years. Additionally, none of the newer students had the opportunity of the intense one-on-one training that Yin Fu received during the mission to Mongolia. Dong and Yin Fu reconciled shortly before Dong’s death in 1882. To honor his instructor, Yin Fu erected two steles at this tomb in 1883 and 1904, respectively. After the death of Dong Haichuan in 1882, Yin Fu became head of the Bagua practitioners in the eastern section of Beijing. Click here for additional information on Yin Fu and his branch of Baguazhang.
Ma Weiqi (1851-1886) - was the second disciple of Dong Haichuan and was also known as Coal Ma. This was due to the fact that he owned a shop in Beijing where he sold coal. This was also a means to differentiate him from Ma Gui, another student of Dong Haichuan that was known as Wood Ma. Ma Weiqi is remembered for his high level of expertise that he developed in the art, but more so, for his temper. He was considered arrogant by many and was quick to challenge other martial artists in order to test his skills. Ma had very little respect for other forms of the martial arts. This attitude caused him to be disliked within the Beijing martial arts community. There are numerous stories concerning his many challenge matches, in which it was common for Ma Weiqi to have heaped insults on the defeated challenger. This reflects his fiery attitude and cockiness that he was known for by other martial artists. He gained a high level of skill in Baguazhang, and in using the Bagua Da Dao (large saber), and the Bagua Turning Spear. He became famous for his spear work. Ma Weiqi died at the age of 29. His death has been a matter of conjecture with different versions describing it. One of those stories state that he died as a result of hurting his back while practicing. Another one contends that he was injured during a challenge match. Upon visiting his instructor, Dong Haichuan, it was discovered that there was little that could be done. Dong attempted to cure Ma with acupuncture and herbs, but he soon passed away. This version is in doubt since Ma’s death occurred three years after Dong’s passing. Regardless of the reason for his death at a young age, Ma Weiqi is still remembered for his skill and being Dong’s second disciple. The late Dr. Xie Peqi stated that Ma Weiqi was considered as Dong’s second most technically proficient disciple. He had only about ten students and none of them received a full transmission of his Baguazhang knowledge. The most notable of his students were Liu Zipei and Yan Julin. Additional research is needed on this branch.
Yan Julin - was one of the few students of Ma Weiqi and is noted as Ma’s top disciple. Yan is reported to have receved a full transmission of Ma’s art prior to his instructors death in 1888. Other accounts state that given Ma’s age and temperament, that none of his students were taught fully. Research has yielded little else concerning Yan Julin. It is known that Chiao Changhung was his student.
 Chiao Changhung (1914-2001) - was born in the Spring of 1914 in northeastern China. His family was wealthy and hired a bodyguard for their son. Chiao first learned from his bodyguard the art of Shaolin Quan. Chiao would meet and become a disciple of a Taoist monk named Lushan Daoren. He taught Chiao a Taosit martial method called the Little Nine Heaven system. While attending college in Beijing, Chiao studied under Yan Julin in the art of Baguazhang. He eventually became a bodyguard to Chiang Haishek and feld to Taiwan at the Nationlist Party defeat in 1949. It was not until his excile in Taiwan that Chiao started teaching the Little Nine Heaven system, which includes Bagua, Xingyi and Taiji. Chiao died in 2001, but passed on his art of several top students. His most notable students were James W. McNeil and Kao Sanlun.
Shi Jidong (1837-1909) - was the third disciple of Dong Haichuan. He was from Cheng Si Shao Zhai village, Ji County in Hebei Province. Liu Sui, in his book Orthodox Baguazhang, states that his direct ancestor, Shi Jidong, was the third disciple of Dong Haichuan. He became Dong’s adopted son-in-law, when Dong adopted his wife, who was reportedly a relative. After leaving service with the Imperial Family, Dong taught his art in the homes of many of his students. Shi Jidong offered Dong to stay with his family and he accepted. It was custom of that time for people without relatives to adopt an adult person to enable them to be cared for and attended as they aged. They would live with the adoptive family and the family would supply their clothes, food, and expenses. It was customary for them to ensure that they received a proper burial as well. This relationship allowed Shi Jidong to learn a high level of art from Dong Haichuan, one that was greater than many of the other disciples. Shi Jidong was a cousin of Yin Fu, the top disciple of Dong Haichuan. Sometime between 1875 and 1882, Yang Janfeng, a disciple of Yin Fu, got into a fight with Yin Fu’s cousin, Shi Jidong, and beat him badly. The beaten Shi came to Yin Fu and asked if he could become one of his students and study Baguazhang. Yin thought that it would not be right for Shi to kowtow to him, since they were cousins, and instead took Shi to meet Dong Haichuan. At the request of Yin Fu, Shi was accepted as Dong Haichaun’s third disciple. His branch of the art is known as Shi Style Baguazhang. Shi Jidong had several disciples to include Yang Rongben and Han Fushun .
Han Fushen - was from Cheng Nanpeng Village in Ji County, Hebei Province. He was illiterate and worked as a blacksmith at the Yi He Lumberyard in Beijing, which was owned by Shi Jidong. He was described as sincere, honest, diligent and conscientious. Out of concern for the people of his community, he desired to learn Baguazhang. Shi Jidong accepted him as a student and also received instruction from Dong Haichuan, who was living with the Shi family at that time. He was also known as Han Liu. Little more is known about Han other than he produced one student that had an impact on the art of Baguazhang. That student was Wu Junshan, who is responsible for promoting Wu Style Baguazhang. Any additional information is welcome.
Yang Rongben - little is known about Yang Rongben. He is noted for having three primary students that carried on his teachings. His notable students were Cao Rongting, Di Zhaolong (he authored Secret Wudang Baguazhang), and Peng Zhaokuang.
 Cheng Tinghua (1848-1900) - was the forth disciple of disciple of Dong Haichuan, but is considered by many as being the second most technically proficient in Dong’s art, only behind Yin Fu. Cheng was born in Shen County of Hebei Province in 1848. He had an early interest in the martial arts and practiced Shuai Jiao and Shaolin arts. He developed rapidly in those arts and gained a high degree of ability in them. Around 1875, after returning from his mission to Mongolia, Dong Haichuan started accepting new students. Cheng was recommended to Dong and became one of his disciples. Given his solid martial background, Cheng excelled under Dong’s teachings and gained a very high level of ability in Baguazhang. After the death of Dong Haichuan in 1882, Cheng became head of the Bagua practitioners in the southern section of Beijing. He is remembered as being a physically strong and large man. Cheng owned an eyeglass shop in Beijing and due to his profession was nicknamed Eyeglasses Cheng. During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, eight foreign armies marched into China. When they eventually entered Beijing, they swept through the streets, bulling the local population and looting. Cheng and his brother, Cheng Dianhua, decided to attempt to stop the invaders and went into the streets in search of them. They came upon a small unit of German soldiers and the two men whirled into their ranks. Cheng is reported to have killed eight of them before being shot and killed. Though he died in 1900 his style of Baguazhang carries his name. Cheng Style Baguazhang is a well-known branch of the art with practitioners throughout the world. Cheng had many students that kept his teachings alive. Click here for information on the disciples of Cheng Tinghua.
Song Changrong - was born to a wealthy family in Beijing. His family was somehow associated with Prince Su, the retainer of Dong Haichuan, and from the young Song was introduced to the founder of Baguazhang. Dong took a liking to the child and would visit his home on a regular basis. He would train Song in the courtyard, but trained him in various skills and exercises to increase the youngster’s strength and balance. When Song was about twelve years of age, Dong began teaching him the art of Baguazhang. Given the foundation what was built in the early years, Song excelled in the training and was considered as a child prodigy in the art. He became highly skilled in the lower basin palms. Dong trained him the use of the Seven Stars pole and Song became an expert in the use of the weapon. Song developed a very high level of skill in the Baguazhang. He was a friend with many of Dong’s other students, in particular Chang Chankuei. This was partial due to Song’s position in life; having grown up in the Imperial section he had only limited contact with the common people from outside the walls of the Forbidden City. This resulted in him having very few students. Gao Yisheng was once a student of Song, but after years of intense basic foundation practice asked his instructor for additional training. The dispute ended with Gao leaving in search of another instructor. After the death of Dong Haichuan in 1882, Song became head of the Bagua practitioners in the northern section of Beijing. Song Shutang was the nephew of Song Changrong and is reported to have carried on his teachings in Song Style Baguazhang. Additional research is needed to identify any of Song’s disciples.
 Liu Dekuan (1826-1911) – was a disciple of Dong Haichuan in Baguazhang, but also is known to have studied with several other prominent martial artists. One of his first instructors was Liu Shijun of Xiong County in Hebei Province. Liu Denkuan initially studied with Shijun’s student, Xu Liu, but eventually trained directly under Liu Shijun. He taught Liu Dekuan his method of spear fighting, which was very advanced. Liu Dekuan learned well and gained a high level of skill with the spear. This proficiency would gain him the nickname of Big Spear Liu, which he would carry throughout his life. He continued on his quest for martial knowledge and traveled broadly searching for quality instructors. Eventually, Liu ended up in Beijing and met Cheng Tinghua, one of Dong Haichuan’s disciples. Cheng knew many of the era’s great martial artists to include Li Cunyi, a noted Xingyi boxer, and Chang Chankuei, another student of Dong, and he regularly exchanged and learned from them. Through these connections, Cheng introduced Liu Dekuan and he was accepted into the group. His high level of knowledge and ability gained him the respect of the Beijing martial arts community. Liu Dekuan, being a highly skilled martial artist, was drawn towards Baguazhang, which he initially studied under Cheng, but eventually met and became a student of Dong Haichuan. Liu adapted his excellent spear skills with the theories of Baguazhang and passed on the Six Lines of the Halberd form to the Cheng branch. Guo Gumin, a student of Liang Style Baguazhang, noted that Liu Dekuan got along with all the elder teachers and as a young man; he followed Big Spear Liu around in order to gain any tidbit of knowledge on the art from him. During his later years, Liu Dekuan suffered from eye disease and both of his eyes were not bright. Still, many of the younger men would want to compare their spear skills against Liu. The moment that their shaft made contact with Liu’s spear, he would stick to their spear and advance. The opponent would lose their spear and be thrown by Liu’s technique. These types of training contests only confirmed his spear skills and validated the moniker that he carried. After the death of Cheng Tinghua, he helped his son, Cheng Youlong, to establish a martial arts school Ximi Street in western Beijing in 1903. He arranged for Liu Zhenlin to be the assistant instructor at the school. Both men had studied under Liu and were close associates. Liu Dekuan died in 1911 and his branch of is referred to Liu Style Baguazhang. He passed on one of his spear forms to Cheng Style Baguazhang, which is still practiced today. After the death of Dong Haichuan in 1882, Liu became head of the Bagua practitioners in the western section of Beijing. His most notable students were Gao Kexing, Geng Jishan and Liu Fengshan.
Gao Kexing - was a skilled martial artist that studied under two of the more notable disciples of Dong Haichuan. Gao trained under Cheng Tinghua and is often listed as one of his disciples. He is more associated as a disciple of Liu Dekuan. It should be noted that Liu and Cheng, along with several early Baguazhang practitioners, trained together and exchanged information on the art. The idea that Gao was a student of both is supported by the close association between Cheng and Liu. Gao was a friend of noted Taijiquan practitioner, Yang Yuting, and the two crossed trained. Yang introduced one of his students, Wang Peisheng, to Gao to study Baguazhang. No additional information.
 Liu Fengshan - was orphaned at the age of sixteen. He had an early interest in the martial arts, but had to first concern himself with basic survival. He eventually ended up in Beijing and met Liu Dekuan, noted spear specialist and Baguazhang student of Dong Haichuan. Liu was accepted as a disciple and was additionally hired as an Imperial Escort. This employment was through his instructors connections with the Imperial government. Liu also trained in Wu Style Taijiquan under Wu Quanyou. He later trained in Hebei Xingiquan under Geng Jishan, a noted Xingyi and Bagua practitioner and martial brother of Liu Dekuan. Liu Fengshan was also known as Liu Caichen. During the Cultural Revolution, Liu was forced to disband his school and his students dispersed. He had many students to include his son, Liu Wunhai, and Huang Shunting. Click here for additional information.
 Fan Zhiyong (1840-1922) - was born in 1840 and was of Manchurean descent. Fan enjoyed martial arts from an early age and practiced Shaolin boxing and Tan Tui during his childhood. Later in his life, he would meet Dong Haichuan and become on of his disciple. Fan was already a highly skilled martial artist by the time that he met Dong. He honed his skills under Dong and eventually gained a high level of skill in fighting and qin na. His skill at baguazhang became highly refined. Fan Zhiyong had the nickname of Fan the Madman. Several years after the death of Dong Haichuan, Fan moved to Guan County in Hebei Province, at the invitation of Liu Baozhen. His stay in Hebei Province started in 1898 and lasted for three years. During that time, he was involved in an incident with a local gang leader named Hei Luozi. While at the Xi Hong Temple, Fan killed the bandit during a fight. Fan’s young daughter, Fan Fenglan, who was 14 years old at that time, witnessed this incident. Lu Jingqi, wrote in his book, Complete Manual of Cao’s Baguazhang, concerning the disciples of Dong Haichuan “... the most famous of his disciples were six men: Yin Fu, Cheng Tinghua, Ma Weiqi, Song Changrong, Liu Fengchun and Fan the Madman. Fan Zhiyoung once spent 49 days in Prince Su’s Palace alone with Dong Haichuan where he learned Buddhist and Taoist combined method called Wu Ji Baguazhang, also called Nei Quan Baguazhang.” Nei Quan Baguazhang does not contain any fixed routines, instead it is expressed as a completely natural routine each time that it is practiced. This method appears unique to Fan Style Baguazhang and is of a very high level. Fan had few students and even less that gained a full understanding of his art. His students included Wang Zhi, Ning Hingliang, Li Ziyan, Za Lifen, Ao Qinghua, Tao Yongfu, Shi Qingsheng and his daughter, Fan Fenglan. Click here to read Jarek Syzmanski’s article on Fan Style Baguazhang.
 Fan Fenglan (1884-1967) - was the only daughter of the famed Fan Zhiyong. She trained under her father’s guidance from an early age. Fan was a very bright and hard working student. This allowed her to gain a high level of understanding in the methods taught by her father and she became the inheritor to his style of Baguazhang. During the 1960’s, she was known as one of the Three Elders of Beijing Bagua within the martial art community. She shared this title with Guo Gumin and Cheng Youxin. She was highly respected for her sincere, honest and kind nature. Her most noteable students were Yi Shilin, Zhao Zhihai, Wang Zengku, Wang Yuan and Wen Dasheng.
 Wen Dasheng - began his training in Fan Style Baguazhang at the age of 15. He was the disciple of Fan Fenglan, the daughter of the famed Fan Zhiyong. Realizing that the family system was in danger of being lost, Fan Fenglan trained Wen in a very extensive manner. She used many examples and took great effort in the explanations to ensure that Wen was able to grasp the concepts and theories of the art. Wen published an article on Fan Style in 1984, which was the first of many articles he has authored on the system. He served as Vice-President of the Beijing Baguazhang Research Association. Click here for his website.
Ma Gui (1853-1940) - was one of the first students of Yin Fu, starting in 1875 at the age of eighteen, and is accepted as being his most technically proficient disciple. After returning from Mongolia with his instructor, Dong Haichuan, Yin Fu started teaching a group of students the new art of Baguazhang. Yin introduced Ma Gui to the founder to receive additional training. Ma was of very short stature and Dong reportedly told the young Ma, “You are too short to do Bagua, I will have to make up an animal just for you. Since you look like a crab, I will teach you the Crab System.” True to his word, Dong developed an entirely new fighting system for Ma. This method still is taught today among the Ma Gui lineage and within Yin Style Baguazhang. Due to being taught by both Dong and Yin Fu, he developed very rapidly and his skills became deep and refined. Ma Gui was known as an extremely ruthless fighter and instructor. He had few students because no one wanted to put up with his teaching abuse, which was quite common among several lines of this art. He was very conservative about passing on his martial knowledge. During his lifetime, he taught many students, including many of Yin Fu’s younger disciples, but most were only taught basics. Ma maintained extremely high standards and demanded a high level of dedication from his students. Ma was originally from Shandong, but he moved to Beijing at a early age. Ma Gui was known for the “Crab method” and also for a method of striking that utilized the wrist. He worked at a woodshop and this profession provided his nickname, Wood Ma, which helped to distinguish him from Ma Weiqi, known as Coal Ma. Though generally accepted as one of Yin Fu’s three top disciples, Ma Gui is noted by many sources as one of Dong Haichuan’s top disciples. The truth is that Ma trained with them both and gained an excellent understanding of Baguazhang. He was the driving force in placing a stele at the tomb of Dong Haichuan in 1930. Ma lived near Men Baozhen, Yin Fu’s chosen lineage carrier, in the 1930’s and helped to instruct Men’s student, Xie Peiqi. Click here for Ma Gui’s sketch and information on his branch, which is listed under the disciples of Yin Fu.
  Chang Chankuei (1859-1940) – was born in Hi Hung Yan village, He Chien County in Hebei Province in 1859. From an early age he studied the martial arts and became skilled in Yenchen Quan. He then trained under Liu Chilan in Xingyi and gained a high level of skill in the art. One story states that Chang defeated an unfair tax collector in his home village. This event gained him the respect and admiration of the villagers. It points to the character of Chang, who is remembered as being honest and upright. As his reputation grew, Chang left his home and traveled to Tianjin and found employment tracking down and catching criminals. During this time, he met and began training with Cheng Tinghua, a noted practitioner of Baguazhang. Later, Cheng introduced him to Dong Haichuan and Chang became a disciple. He was a good student and was given the nickname of Zhaodong (Little North). His descendants claim that Chang Chankuei did not learn Baguazhang from Dong Haichuan, but trained under Dong’s student, Cheng Tinghau. In 1911, Li Cunyi, Ye Yunbiao, and Chang Chankuei, Ma Fentu, and other martial arts notables, established the Chinese Martial Arts Association in Tianjin. Chang the skills of his schools to test in 1918, when he entered his top disciple, Han Muxia, into a major martial arts tournament called the “Tournament of Powermen from 10,000 Countries.” He was matched against a famous Russian fighter and easily defeated him. Chang’s personal reputation grew from many matches fought on raised platforms (Lei Tai). He is remembered for having defeated several Japanese martial artists and a German strongman during these matches. He was a bounty hunter in Tainjin, which added even more to his reputation. Chang is also referred to as Zhang Zhangdong in some publications. Chang had the following students: Chang Jungchiao, Han Muxia, Jiang Rongqiao, Li Jianqiu, Qiu Zhihe, Liu Wanfu, Liu Huhai, Wang Qingfeng, Wang Shujin, Zhang Daoxin, and Zhang Yutin.
 Han Muxia (1884-1954) – was a direct disciple of Chang Chankuei, but is remembered for being having outstanding Xingyi skills. Many point to Han Muxia as the most proficient Xingyi practitioner of his generation. Han learned both Xingyi and Bagua from Chang and his martial brother, Li Cunyi. His skills became very refined and above those of other practitioners in Beijing during that time period. His instructor, Chang Chankuei, was going to enter Han into the famous “Tournament of Powermen from 10,000 Countries” in 1918, but at the last minute they learned that it had been changed to merely a “martial exhibition.” The reason for the match was that a Russian fighter, who was competing in the tournament, had traveled throughout the nation defeating numerous Chinese martial experts in the process. Chang, Li, Han, and their colleagues contacted the visiting Russian’s staff with the offer to test the famed foreigner outside the tournament. They agreed and the two groups met in the hotel that the Russian was staying. Death papers, to hold the other party harmless in the event of the death of their opponent, were signed and the two fighters squared off. Han Muxia defeated the man with ease. With the honor of Chinese martial arts reestablished, the Chang/Han delegation left the hotel. Government officials would later award Han a gold medal and plaque to honor his victory. Shortly afterwards, Han challenged his instructor, Chang Chankuei, to cross hands to further expand his reputation. He was basking over his recent victory over the Russian and thought that he could defeat the very man that had trained him in Xingyi and Baguazhang. Chang, who was over sixty years old, defeated the younger Han. This caused Han to lose face and Chang renounced him. This event caused Han to create a story about having learned his martial skills from a mysterious Taoist named Ying Wentian. This fabrication was a source of research by a number of martial scholars and no such individual has ever been located to support Han’s claim. Han’s students included: Han Qi, Guo Shufan, Wu Mengxia, and Wang Ziren.
 Wu Mengxia - - was a direct disciple of Han Muxia. He trained in both Xingyi and Baguazhang under the guidance of Han. Additionally, Wu studied with Gao Yisheng and introduced Zhang Junfeng to him. Zhang thought so highly of Wu that later in life he gave him a copy of his six volume manual titled, The Important Meaning of Baguazhang. Wu Mengxia was a martial brother of Wu Zhaofeng and may have been kin, but additional research is needed to be certain. Wu Mengxia authored an important book on the art of Baguazhang titled The Expounding of Baguazhang Technqiues. No additional information. Hopefully additional information will be discovered and added to the sketch of this practitioner.
Guo Shufan (1893-1985) - was born in Zhucheng Village in Shandong Province in 1893. He initally trained in the martial arts with Jiang Bao, who was a student of the famed “Hawk” Gao San, in 1917. From him he learned Hongquan and Paochui. He met Han Muxia in 1920 and became a student of Xingyi and Baguazhang. He later studied Taijijquan with Wu Jianyong. He eventually taught martial arts in Xian. Guo was also the president of the Society for Researching Xingyi, Bagua and Sanshou in Xian. No additional information.
 Jiang Rongqiao (1891-1974) - was born in Cangzhou in Hebei Province in 1891. As a young man, he trained in Mixong Quan and a northern Shaolin system under his uncle. This training included many weapons in addition to empty hand skills. In 1909, Jiang started as a student of Chang Chankuei and was taught both Xingyi and Baguazhang. He also became a friend of Li Chunyi, an associate of Chang, who was highly skilled in both arts as well. Jiang gained valuable knowledge from Li, which supplemented the training that he had received from Chang. At the same time, Jiang also trained in Taiji and Wudang sword. He began teaching these arts in 1920, while employed for the Railroad Administration Bureau. He established the Advocating Martial Arts and Improving Morality Association in Shanghai in 1928. Through this organization, he dedicated himself to publishing a series of martial arts training manuals. These manuals survive to this day and are considered as valuable contributions to the understanding of Chinese Martial Arts of that era. He was hired by the Central Guoshu Academy in Nanjing in 1932. During this time he served as editor of the popular magazine Guoshu Unification Monthly. During World War II, Jiang moved to southern China and again took up teaching. At retirement he moved to Shanghai and spent his time editing martial arts books. His most important work concerning Baguazhang was Bagua Palm, published in 1963. In his elder years, Jiang suffered problems with his eyesight and eventually became totally blind. He still continued teaching and was highly respected by his students. Jiang taught numerous students at the various academies and schools that he instructed.
 Sha Guozheng (1904-1992) - was born in 1904 in Shandong Province. He initially studied the Internal Arts under Wang Checheng, who was a disciple of Wang Lite. The later was a direct disciple of Dong Haichaun. Sha became skilled in Xingyi and Baguazhang. Later, he studied under Jiang Rongqiao. His skills became vrey refined. Sha was an expert at several of the weapons that are traditionally associated with Baguazhang. He was one of the most prominent Baguazhang practitioners in Beijing until his death in 1992. Click here to check out the Best of Baguazhang VCD that features the late Sha - scroll down. His most noted student was Professor Kang Ge Wu. (Kang is noted for his martial scholarship in researching Baguazhang and exposing several of the non-verifiable lineages. He was able to conclude that Dong Haichuan was the originator of the system with a very high degree of probability. He interviewed hundreds of Bagua practitioners, descendants, and government officials. Additionally, Kang reviewed historic documents in various collections that numbered in the thousands. His research was exhaustive and thorough.)
 Liu Wangfu - was a student of Zhang Zhenkuei. He was a noted practitioner of Baguazhang, Xingyiquan and Lanshouquan. His most notable students were his second son Liu Jinhua; Liu Shusheng; Liu Hongchang; Liu Ruchun; Wang Fengzhu; Liu Hongyin; Yuan Xi; Su Zhenping; Lü Guangchen; Chan Xiwen; Mei Hangqiang; Ma Lina; Lu Jinshui; Lin Dongzhen; Yang Zhuling; Xu Qianzhen; Zhuo Qinghai; Liu Shukun; and Chen Zhengzhe. Noted American practitioner Vince Black also studied under Liu Wanfu for a short time. Click here for an excellent bio of Liu Wanfu.
Wang Qingfeng – was from Heijian in Hebei Province. As a young man he moved to Tianjin. He studied Baguazhang and Xingyi under Chang Chankuei and Li Cunyi. His skills became advanced under their instruction. Wang competed in the Tournament of Powermen from 10,000 Countries in 1918. He was recommended and appointed to the Association of Chinese Warriors. Wang served as a martial arts instructor at the Baoding Military Garrison. No additional information.
 Wang Shujin (1904-1981) - was born in Tianjin in 1904. At the age of 18 he was accepted as a disciple of Chang Chenkuei and learned Xingyi and Baguazhang. During that time he also received training from Chang’s martial brothers, Li Cunyi and Xiao Haibo. After the death of Chang in 1940, Wang sought out Wang Xianzhai and was instructed in the Standing Post method. When the Nationalist Party fled the mainland in 1949 he followed them to Taiwan. There he met Chen Panling and they became training associates and also Zhang Junfeng. This exposure of several different lines fo Baguazhang, coupled with Chen’s Taijiquan and Wang Xianzhai’s Post Training were blended into the teaching method utilized by Wang. Wang Shujin was a member of a syncretist sect called The Constant Path, which incorporated elements of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhiam. He became the first to teach traditional Chinese Internal Arts in Japan and had thousands of students in that country and in Taiwan. His notable students were Hidemine Jibiki, Chao Piaosheng, Tchong Ta Tchen, Wang Fulai, Zhang Yizong, Lai Tianzhao, Huang Jinsheng, Marnix Wells, Manfred Rottman, Sato Kinbei, and earlier American Bagua practitioner, Robert W. Smith. It should be noted that Smith and Sato Kinbei were long-time students of Wang, but did not become formal disciples as did the others mentioned above.
  Li Cunyi (1847-1921) – was born in Shen County in Hebei Province in 1847. His family was very poor and Li was forced to become a cart driver at an early age in order to assist his family financially. Later in life, Li founded and operated a private bodyguard service in Baoding. He had a great interest in the martial arts and is known to have traveled extensively throughout Shandong, Hebei, and Shanxi provinces searching out high-level instructors. He met and trained under the famed Xingyi instructor, Liu Qilan, and spent ten years in its perfection. Li initially trained in Baguazhang under Cheng Tinghua, one of Dong’s senior disciples, who was a close associate and from the same region as Li. This was prior to becoming a disciple of Dong Haichuan and furthering his development. Li Cunyi, already having a solid martial foundation, learned the theories and techniques of Bagua rapidly. Li became a trusted member of the martial arts community and regularly exchanged ideas and trained with many of the senior students of Bagua and Xingyi. In the 1890’s he established a private security/bodyguard service in Baoding. He hired and trained many men that would later go on and achieve fame, among them was Huang Bonien. In the summer of 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, Li Cunyi took up arms against the foreign invading armies. It was during this time that he earned the nickname of One Saber Li, which was due to he proficiency he showed with the weapon during battle. Li personally led a group of boxers, which included many of his students and employees, into several battles against the foreign troops. They also took part in the massacres of two groups of unarmed western missionaries. These actions marked him as a wanted man by the victorious foreign armies at the end of the conflict. A bounty was placed on Li and he was forced to flee Beijing. He fled to Taigu and stayed with the famed Xingyi instructor, Che Yizhai, who assigned one of his top students to act as Li’s bodyguard. Li still had connections with many of his old martial brothers and in 1911 helped to establish the Chinese Martial Arts Association in Tianjin. He also entered the famous “Tournament of Powermen from 10,000 Countries” in 1918, in which Chinese martial artists were pitted against foreign experts. This added to his reputation, which was already very high. While a child, Li Cunyi did not receive a formal education, but through self-training and association with martial scholars become literaet. He passed on much of his knowledge in a book called Yue Fei’s Intent Boxing, which was intially a hand-copied book that later made it to formal printing. In his later years, Li concerned himself to the promotion of the internal arts and the establistment of martial arts schools and organizations. He was the cousin of Geng Jishan, a noted Xingyiquan and Baguazhang practitioner. Li Cunyi passed away in 1921. He had the following students; Fu Jianqiu, Shang Yunxiang, Zho Guofu, Gao Yisheng (better known as a student of Cheng Tinghua), Hao Enguang, and Huang Bonian.
 Shang Yunxiang (1864-1937) - was born in Leling, Shandong Province in 1864. His father moved to Beijing when Zhang was still a child. He began training in Gongli Boxing under Ma Dayi and became skilled with the broadsword. He eventually heard of Li Cunyi, who was well-respected for his sword skills, and challenged him. Zhang lost and in doing so requested to become a student of Li. He was accepted and learned Xingyi and baguazhang, in addition to sword skills, from Li Cunyi. Zhang is better known for his XIngyi skills and there is a branch of that art that carries his name: Shang Style Xingyiquan.
 Jin Yunting - was a direct disciple of Shang Yunxiang. He trained in the arts of Baguazhang and Xingyi, but is more remembered for his contributions to Xingyi due to his book, Xingyi Boxing Manual, which is considered as an important work in that art. Jin also studied under Sun Lutang, a noted student of Cheng Tinghua. His book has been translated into English and is available from numerous sources.
 Huang Bonian (1880-1954) – was born in Zhensanpu village, Renqiu County in Hebei Province in 1880. As a child, Huang was physically weak and sickly. He started training in Shaolin Quan under Gao Shiping at an early age. Huang was hired as a youth by Li Cunyi to work as a bodyguard. Li trained the young man in the martial arts of Xingyi and Baguazhang for that purpose. Huang Bonian would eventually achieve great fame as a master of both arts. Li Cunyi, Huang’s instructor, created the “Four Gates Dragon Form Palm” and passed this teaching on to his student. Huang, though respected for his abilities in Baguazhang, was better known for his Xingyi skills. In 1911, he was appointed, along with his instructor Li Cunyi, as instructors at the Tianjin Chinese Martial Teachers Association. Huang became one of the instructors at the famed Nanjing Central Martial Arts Institute. During his term at Nanjing, Huang taught Xingyi, Baguazhang, and bayonet techniques. In 1937, he was appointed as an instructor at the Chongqing Military Academy. Huang was a major contributor to the development and popularization of Baguazhang. He authored Dragon Form Baguazhang, which was published twice in 1928. Huang Botian had many students to include his three sons, Huang Guoxin, Huang Guoxun, Huang Guozhen and several other including Zhang Wenguang, He Fusheng, Wen Ruming, and Jiang Haochuan,
 Zhu Guofu (1891-1968) – became a student of Li Cunyi, the famed Xingyi and Baguazhang instructor. Zhu became better known for his Xingyi skills. He and two of his brothers (it is unknown if they studied under Li Cunyi) entered the infamous First National Tournament in 1928. This tournament was shutdown by the Chinese government due to the high number of severe injuries and deaths that happened during the competition. The crowd was upset, since they had been promised that there would be a single champion, but the government stood its ground and closed the competition. The fifteen fighters that remained undefeated, came together and voted on their choice for the best fighter, which was reported to have been Chu Kuochen. Zhu was listed as a Xingyi boxer for the tournament. No additional information.
Huo Enguang - was a noted student of Li Cunyi, but is remembered for his skills in XIngyi instead of Baguazahng. His instructor, Li Cunyi, was a noted instructor in both arts. It appears that Huo excelled at Xingyi. Li Wenbiao was one of his students that was skilled in both Xingyi and Bagua, which he probably learned under Huo. No additional information.
Fu Jianqiu (1882-?) – was foremost a student of Li Cunyi. He also trained of Liu Fenchun, but research has yielded little information concerning Fu Jianqui. He is known to have traveled to Fengtian in 1922. During this visit he faced a famous Japanese kendo master named Sheng Dazhen. Fu defeated the foreigner and word spread about his martial abilities. Gong Baotian, another noted Baguazhang practitioner from the Yin Fu branch, heard of his victory and desired to meet him. Gong and Fu met and discovered that their martial skills were equal. Gong was impressed with the younger man and went to his retainer, General Zhang Zuolin, and requested that he find a position for Fu in his bodyguard staff. Fu assumed a position in Zhang’s personal guard and his reputation grew in the area even more. The General’s son, Zhang Xueliang, was in Beijing on military matters and his father ordered Fu to travel there and assume the position as bodyguard for his son. Fu did as ordered, but in his absence, General Zhang Zuolin was murdered in Huanggu Village. No further information has been discovered concerning Fu Jianqiu. It should be noted that Cheng Yougong also served under General Zhang Zuolin, but it is unknown if he had any interaction with either Fu or Gong.
 Liang Zhenpu (1863-1932) – was born on May 20, 1863 in Beihaojia village in Ji County, Hebei Province. As a youth, he trained in Tan Tui and Biaozhang, but his instructor is not known. He moved to Beijing in 1876 to apprentice under his father at the family business, which dealt in second hand clothing. It was during this time that Liang met and became a disciple of Dong Haichuan, the founder of Baguazhang. He was Dong’s youngest disciple and became well liked by the other students. Liang trained under Dong for roughly five years and also received instruction from many of Dongs’ senior students to include Yin Fu, Cheng Tinghua, Shi Jidong, and Liu Fengchun. Liang’s martial abilities matured as he did and he gained an excellent understanding of Baguazhang. Starting in 1899, Liang noticed that there were criminals that were committing numerous crimes against the local populace. Liang went about tracking down and fighting over 200 criminals during that time. It is reported that he killed or seriously wounded over seventy of them in the process. Liang was imprisoned for the murders and was being held in captivity at the start of the Boxer Rebellion. During one of the battles, the prison sustained heavy damage and Liang was able to make his escape. Liang had little martial arts foundation prior to his learning Baguazhang. Some practitioners of his lineage claim that Liang’s Baguazhang is the purest. His branch of the art is known as Liang Style Baguazhang. In 1911, he was appointed the Head of the Guard Bureau. Liang Zhenpu died on August 13. 1932 and was the only student buried next to his instructor, Dong Haichuan.
 Li Mengrui (1888-1977) – was born in Haiyang County in the Shangdong Province in 1888. He moved to Beijing as a young man and eventually opened a restaurant called Yu Chun. He became a disciple of Liang Zhenpu in 1908 and gained a high level of understanding in Liang’s Baguazhang. Li Mengrui was nicknamed Ironarm Li. He returned to his home village in 1948 and taught Liang Style Baguazhang to students in that area. Lou. He became known for a technique called the Dragging Palm. He was known for his generous spirit and upright character. Li was friends with many of the well-known Baguazhang practitioners of his era, such as Li Wenbiao, Yin Yuzhang, Liu Bin, and Ma Gui. Li Shaoan suffered during China’s Cultural Revolution of the 1960’s. He was sent to the Shandong Province, a rural area, for reeducation. These hardships took their toll on the aging Li Shaoan and he passed away in 1977.
 Guo Gumin (1887-1968) – was born in Yixian County in Hebei Province in 1887. He moved to Beijing at the age of 15, but did not start training under Liang Zhenpu for five years. Guo also learned from the famed spearman, Liu Dekuan, another student of Dong Haichuan. Guo trained under Han Funshen, a disciple of Shi Jidong. Another famed Republican Era Bagua practitioner that Guo learned from was Ma Gui. Through the years his skills continued to develop and he gained a high level of understanding in Liang Style Baguazhang under the guidance of Liang Zhenpu. Guo never married and devoted his life to the advancement of Baguazhang. He was senior to Li Ziming, another of Liang’s students, and exchanged Baguazhang with him on a regular basis. During the 1960’s he was known as one of the Three Elders of Beijing Bagua along with Fan Fenglan and Cheng Youxin. Guo Gumin died in 1968 in Beijing. His most noted students were Gao Ziying, Zang Xuefan, Wang Qichang and Liu Jiemin.
 Wang Qichang (1911-1996) – was a native of Beijing and was born in 1911. His family was involved in the martial arts and Wang started training at an early age. He became a disciple of Guo Gumin and reached a high level of understanding and skill in Liang Style Baguazhang. Guo passed on a full transmission of his art to Wang. His most notable students were Zang Xuefan, Sun Guanhua, Li Jin, Jiang Xingbao, Wei Li, Yang Guang, and Lu Junming.
 Liu Jiemin (1904-1990) – was born in Guan County in Hebei Province in 1904. He moved to Beijing at the age of sixteen and was employed by the Beijing Telephone Company. He became a disciple of Guo Gumin in 1937 and reached a high level of understanding and skill in Liang Style Baguazhang. He eventually became a telecommunications engineer and retired in 1965. He continued his studies with Guo Gumin in his retirement. Liu’s most notable students were Zhao Yingping, Zhou Jianzhi, Meng Guang, Zhang Dexhi, Dong Jixuan, Yang Shian, Tang Ruiming, Mi Shuyuan, Li Daihuang, Wang Yuwen, Cao Zhengang, Wu Jingbo, Sang Minyi, Hao Jianxin, Pan Lianhai, Hu Xianggen and Feng Yue.
 Zang Xuefan (1932-2000) – was born in 1932 in Hebei Province. Zang started training in the martial arts early in his life. He first studied under Shi Xiwen, a disciple of Wei Qinwen/Wu Jianquan. He became a disciple of Guo Gumin in 1966 and developed a high level of skill in Liang Style Baguazhang. He also learned from Guo senior disciples Liu Jiemin and Wang Qichang in Liang Style and also Pei Xirong in Yin Style Baguazhang. He was noted as a specialist in Bagua weapons in addition to having excellent empty-hand skills.
 Li Ziming (1903-1993) – was born on June 25, 1903 in Lijia Village, Ji County in Hebei Province. He received a cultured childhood and was able to study Chinese literature, calligraphy, and the martial arts. His father was a friend of Liang Zhenpu and Li was introduced to him in 1921 and began his instruction in Liang Style Baguazhang. Much of the information concerning Liang’s Bagua was passed to Li verbally. He was a devoted student and practiced the art daily. Eventually, Li gained a high level of proficieny in Liang Style Baguazhang. Li entered the Hebei Martial Arts Academy and trained under Chang Chankuei, Shang Yunxiang, and Ju Qingyuan. After graduation, Li returned to Beijing and regularally met and trained with other of Liang’s disciples to include Guo Gumin, Li Shaoan, and Zeng Xingsan. Li obtained a high level of technical skills in Baguazhang. These included forms, weapons, theory, and fighting methods of the art. His skills in the art of fighting and hand-to-hand combat techniques grew through the years. Li spearheaded the effort to relocate the damaged tomb of Dong Haichuan in 1980. The following year he founded the Beijing Baguazhang Research Association (BBRA). He served as the first president and held that position until his death. Through the years he received numerous honors by national and international martial arts groups. Li Ziming died on January 23, 1993 and was buried next to the tomb of Dong Haichuan in Wanan Public Cemetery. His most famous disciples were Ma Chuanxu (who served as the second president of the BBRA), Wang Shitong, Zhao Dayuan, Di Guoyong, Li Gongcheng, Jia Shusen (current president of the BBRA), Wang Tong, Zhang Quanliang, Sun Honyan, Sui Yunjiang, and Ma Ling. Vince Black is his top disciple in the United States and heads the North American Tang Shou Tao Association.
 Ma Chuanxu (1933-present) - was born in Boye County in Hebei Province in 1933. At the age of nine he began training in Shaolin Boxing under his father. The family moved to beijing in 1961 and he started training under Li Ziming in Liang Style Baguazhang. Ma also trained in several other arts to include Xingyi, Praying Mantis, and Taiji. He gained employment in 1978 with the Beijing Public Service Bureau (PSB) and had many occasions to utilize his martial arts skills in the performance of his duties. A former colleague stated that Ma once caught over 100 criminals in a month and did so without using a weapon. He also was responsible for catching several art smugglers and druglords. Ma also worked security at the Beijing Railway Service during this time. He retired from public service in 1993 and became the second president of the Beijing Baguazhang Research Association. Ma held that position until 2004. He also trained with Li Ziming’s senior Bagua brother, Guo Gumin, which gave him additional insight into the art. Click here for Jarek Syzmanski’s interview with Ma Chuanxu in 2001.
 Zhang Quanliang (1941-present) - is a direct disciple of the late Li Ziming. In addition he holds a seventh Dan in Chinese Wushu. Zhang was produced a successful VCD series on Liang Style Baguazhang, which includes various Bagua weapons and empty hand routines. Additional information needed. Click here to check out Zhang Quanliang’s VCD series on Liang Style Baguazhang - scroll down.
 Sui Yunjiang (1945-present) - was born in Heilongjiang Province in 1945. He became a disciple of Li Ziming in Liang Style Baguazhang. Li once stated, “Yunjiang is one of my most outstanding apprentices in the fourth Baguazhang generation.” In 1990 he was invited to the Former Soviet Union to teach martial arts at the Soviet Central Athletics Bureau and Moscow Athletics Bureau. This invitation ended up with a stay that lasted for four years. After returning to China he participated in several martial art organizations and tournaments. He has traveled to many countries in his career and continues to conduct seminars overseas. He is still active in teaching Liang Style Baguazhang in Beijing.
 Wang Tong (1943-present) - was a disciple of Li Ziming in Liang Style Baguazhang and serves as the current Secretary of the Beijing Baguazhang Research Association. He has trained in the martial arts for over thirty years and has won numerous competitions. Wang holds a seventh degree, which is the highest rank, in Chinese Wushu. He has an excellent understanding of Baguazhang principles, theories, and principles, in addition to fighting techniques. Wang is known for his open-mindedness and for being a respected instructor.
Li Gongcheng (1942-present) - was a disciple of Li Ziming in Liang Style Baguazhang. He currently teaches Liang Style Baguazhang in Beijing. No additional information.
 Di Guoyong (1948-present) - was born in Xiong County in Hebei Province in 1948. He initally trained in Shaolin Long Fist Boxing with Zho Zhong. He became on of Li Ziming’s first disciples in Liang Style Baguazhang. Di is better known for his skills in Xingyiquan. He founded the Xingyiquan Research Association in Beijing. Di teaches in Beijing. Click here for Jarek Szymanski’s interview with Di Guoyong.
 Zhao Dayuan (1938-present) - was a top disciple of Li Ziming in Liang Style Baguazhang. He continues to teach the system in Beijing and travels abroad to increase awareness in the art. Zhao modeled for the instructional photographs that appear in Li Ziming’s book, Liang Zhen Pu Eight Diagram Palm. Additionally, Zhao was featured in Nei Jia Quan: Internal Martial Arts by Jess O’Brien. No additional information.
Jia Fengming (1867-1939) – was a direct disciple of Dong Haichuan. He was nicknamed Qishan. Given the age of Jia, he would have been a teenager during the period that he trained under Dong Haichuan. This would indicate that he had either limited or no prior training in the martial arts. He was hired by Ma Po Village in Hebei Province in 1901 to train the local residents in martial arts skills and to help provide security to the village. Many small villages during that time period did not receive any law enforcement assistance from the government. Ma Po Village had a significant problem with lawless bandits at that time. One of the young men that he trained was Fu Zhensong, who eventually founded Fu Style Baguazhang and was the only notable student of Jia Fengming.
  Fu Zhensong (1881-1953) - was born in Ma Po Village in Henan Province in 1881. He first began his training at the age of sixteen in Chen Style Taijin under Chen Dianshan. Fu studied from some of the most notable instructors of his time. Chen had been hired by the village to teach martial arts to the locals and provide secuirty from bandits in the region. Chen eventually left Ma Po village and was replaced by Jia Fengming. Jia was a disciple of Dong Haichuan and Fu learned Baguazhang under him for eight years. Later, he continued his studied of Baguazhang under Ma Gui, a disciple of both Dong Haichuan and Yin Fu, for three years. He also studied Baguazhang under Sun Lutang, the noted Cheng Style Bagua practitioner and author. Fu became highly respected in his home village for defeating over 100 bandits in the lawless region. This reputation would follow him through his years and he would eventually be known as one of the Five Northern Tigers. Fu was appointed an instructor in Kaifeng’s Guard Bureau in 1911. He served in the Chinese Army from 1920 to 1927. Fu was appointed an instructor at the Guoshu Institute of Guangdong and Guangxi Provinces in 1929. During World War II, he was the vice-director of yet another Guishu Institute. At the end of hostilities, he moved back to Guangzhou and taught Taijinquan. Fu Zhensong died in 1953 shortly after a major martial arts demonstration. His method is known today as Fu Style Baguazhang.
 Fu Yonghui (1913-?) – was born in 1913. He grew up surrounded by high-level martial artists and received training from his father, Fu Zhensong. In 1929 he assisted his father while instructing at the Two Kuang’s Martial Arts School in Canton. Due to his expose to high-level teachings the young Fu Yonghui became a martial arts phenom at an early age. Besides training under his father in Baguazhang, he learned from of Chinese most revered instructors a variety of martial systems to include Wudang sword, Bajiquan, Yang Style Taijin, and Xingyi. Fu Yonghui became his father’s top disciple and would devote his entire life to the martial arts. He was awarded the title of “Most Outstanding Martial Arts Instructor” in the Guangdong Province by the Chinese government in the 1980’s. Fu Yonghui’s most notable students are Victor Shenglong Fu, Fu Wenlong (two of his sons), Liang Qianya, and Bow Sim Mark. Click here to link to Victor Fu’s website on Fu Style Baguazhang for more details.
 Liang Qiangya (1931-present) – was born in Guangzhou Province in 1931. Just short of his 14th birthday, in the summer of 1945, the famed martial artist Fu Zhensong came to Guangzhou for the second time. Fu met with his senior disciple of the region, Sun Baogang, a relative of Liang, who suggested the Fu stay with Liang’s family. The young Liang became one of Fu’s disciples and trained in the system day and night. In fact, Liang was one of Fu’s youngest disciples. After the death of Fu Zhensong, Liang trained with Fu’s son, Fu Yonghui. Liang still teaches Fu Style Baguazhang and established the International Wu Dang Association in order to promote this method.
Liu Baozhen (1861-1922) – began his studies in the martial arts at an early age. He initially trained in Choujia Fanzi Boxing under Zhang and Ma. He later traveled to Beijing and became a student of Dong Haichuan. Liu became very skilled in the use of the Bagua Da Dao (large saber) and this skill earned him the nickname of Flying Saber Liu. After the death of Dong, he traveled to Guan County and became famous for catching many local bandits. It is reported that one on occasion that he defeated an infamous bandit known as the King of Bandits. The King, after being defeated, asked to become a student of Liu, which was in accordance of the customs of the time. Liu accepted the former bandit, but felt that the man was not loyal. This eventually led to Liu killing the man in secret. Liu became ashamed of the act and left the martial arts to become a Buddhist monk. Liu died in 1922 at a temple in Tongzhou. He was also known as Liu Pinqing. His notable students include: Xiao Haibo, Guo Mengshen and Ren Zhicheng.
Xiao Haibo (1863-1954) - was born in Duliu Village, Guan County in Hebei Province in 1863. He first trained in the martial arts in about 1881 with Guo Yunjia. Xiao and his family moved to Hongji Village in Guan County the following year. He eventually met and started training under Liu Baozhen, his cousin, in the art of Baguazhang in Hongji Village. Liu had been a disciple of Dong Haichuan, but had moved to Guan County after the death of his instructor in 1882. He was employed by the locals to teach martial arts and to provide security for the village. Xiao was one of his students during this time and gained excellent skills in Baguazhang. He was employed to teach martial arts at the Qing Zhuangqin Palace. Xiao also was employed to provide security for the Jehol Cepo Gold Mining Company. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, he returned to his hometown of Duliu and started teaching martial arts. Xiao was invited by Chang Chankuei to instruct martial arts at the Tianjin Guoshu School in 1930. This position lasted until 1944 and during that time Xiao instructed many students. He then returned to to Duliu village and renewed instructing local students. Xiao’s students, Wen Zheng, published a book on his method in 1987 titled Yin Yang Bapanzhang. That source states that Xiao and his classmate, Ren Zhicheng, carried on Liu Baozhen’s art. Xiao Haibo’s notable students were Liu Xuezheng, Chen Jiatai, Lu Ziren, Wen Sheng, and Ren Wenkui.
 Ren Zhicheng (1878-1967) - authored Yin Yang Eight Coiling Palms in 1937, which was in response to Sun Xikun’s popular book on the art. Ren claimed that Li Zhenqing, who he claimed was a classmate of Dong Haichuan, taught him a different version of Baguazhang. Martial scholars have extensively researched the material presented by Ren and can not validate the information. Additionally, it was determined that Ren had been a student of Liu Baozhen, a disciple of Dong. Ren’s claims are still argued today by students in his branch of the art, which is called Yin Yang Bapanzhang. This type of non-verifiable lineage has plagued Baguazhang researchers for years with other such claims being made by Han Muxia and Gao Yisheng in China and others in the west. Research has concluded that Dong Haichuan was the creator of Baguazhang to a very high degree of probability. Click here to read Jarek Szymanski’s article about Yin Yang Bapanzhang. Click here to read another of Jarek Szymanski’s articles with excerpts from Ren Zhicheng’s book.Guo Mengshen (1890-1973) - was a direct disciple of Liu Baozhen. He began his study of the martial arts at the age of twelve. His instructor also took on his own son as a disciple, but the younger Liu was prone to smoke a great deal of tobacco and was not serious with his martial studies. Guo thus became the person that was trusted with the full transmission of Liu Baozhen’s art. Guo would later train under Ma Yutang and Zhu Guofu in Xingyi, and Yang Chengfu in Yang Style Taijiquan. Guo became an expert at all three of the Internal Arts and became an instructor at the Naijing Kuosho Institute. He is credited with developing Bagua Sanshou Zhang. Additionally, Guo studied under Chang Chankeui and learned several of the Bagua weapons from the noted practitioner. His notable students were Guo Zhenya (his son), Wang Shutian, and Zhang Xianghyu.
 Wang Shutian (1908-?) - was born in Xincheng County in Hebei Province in 1908. He became a student at the famed Nanking Central Guoshu Institute in 1928. While attending the school he was instructed by Zhi Guozhen, Zhu Guofu, Wang Ziping, Sun Lutang, and Gao Hanzhang. Wang also studied under Guo Mengshen and learned some of Liu Style Baguazhang. He was appointed the Chairman of the Sichuan Wushu Federation in 1980 and that position for many years. One of his students was Liang Shouyu. Liang also claims instruction in Bagua from Taoist monks on Emei Mountain.
Li Changye – was a direct student of Dong Haichuan. It is reported that during the Boxer Rebellion that Li killed several foreign troops during the hostilities. After the foreigners gained control of the capital city they placed a bounty on the head of Li. He was forced to flee the capital and found refuge on the famed Emei Mountain in Sichuan County. Li reportedly lived in the Nine Gray Bears Cave and became known as the Longevity Monk. He taught Taoist philosophy, qigong methods and Baguazhang to Lu Zijian. No additional information.
 Lu Zijian (1893-present) – was born in 1893 in Yichang City, which lays on the famous Yangtze River. His family had a history of martial arts and Traditional Chinese Medicine, which Lu would follow. Lu father worked as a bodyguard and would escort expeditions along the Yangtze River. At the age of seven, Lu began his martial arts training, which was probably under his father. In 1913 he left Yichang and went to Wudang Mountain. Here he met a Taoist monk of the Zixiao Temple and named Lu Benshan. He taught the young man from Yichang not only Taoist philosophy, but secretive Taoist martial skills using the spear and iron rings. Lu Zijian would eventually move on to the Emei Mountains in Sichuan. He became the formal disciple of Li Changye during this time. Lu spent eight years under Li’s guidance and received a full transmission of his Bauazhang skills. Lu returned to his home village and practiced medicine, worked as an martial arts instructor for the military, and also worked security aboard cargo vessels on the Yangtze River. It was not until the 1980’s that Lu started becoming recognized for his knowledge and skills. In 1986, at the age of 92, Lu Zijina won the gold medal for Baguazhang at the Chinese National Championship of Wushu. As of 2008 Lu is still practicing Baguazhang every day and is the oldest known Chinese person at 115 years of age. Click here to watch Lu Zijian’s 1986 Bagua demonstration at the age of 92. Click here for additional information on Lu Zijian. This man is truly amazing and an excellent example of the health benefits of Baguazhang.
Quan Kaiting – was an Imperial Guard in the staff of Prince Su. He became one of the first students of Dong Haichuan, but it is unknown if he learned Baguazhang. He might have only received instruction in the lesser arts that Dong was known to teach to the majority of the men in the Guard. Quan was an artist and is credited with painting the only known likeness of Dong Haichuan. No additional information.
Liang Yuzhen (1840-1921) - was a General in the Army of the Qing Empire. He was born into a famous military family and followed in the footsteps of his forefathers. He trained under Dong Haichuan in the art of Baguazhang. His association with Dong points to the high social level that many of his students attained. His nickname was Liang Zhalwen. Liang’s notable students were Su Fengchun and Liu Zhenlin.
Wu Ying (1853-1912) – was born in Changshou in Hebei Province in 1853. He belonged to a Moslem family and followed that faith throughout his life. Wu traveled far and spent time in Inner Mongolia and Shandong Province prior to moving to Beijing. While in Shandong Province he studied under Mr. Sun in the arts of Taijiquan and the Long Pole. He also had a martial background in Tan Tui and Zha Quan, but his instructors are unknown. After arriving in Beijing he started training under Dong Haichuan and learned the art of Baguazhang. Wu Ying’s was nicknamed Zizhu. No disciples have been identified. Additional research is needed.
There are other men that are reported to have trained under Dong Haichuan, but research has yielded little more than their names. Unfortunately, research has been limited to English sources, but the lack of information suggest that they did not pass on their teachings or that their lines have remained closed and therefore undocumented. The principle disciples that have been identified are listed on this page. Students under Yin Fu and Cheng Tinghua are listed on separate pages. These branches appear to be the two largest and constitute the largest groups of practitioners.
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