Cultural Keys

  Cultural Keys' martial arts training program at the Shaolin Temple is like nothing else you will ever experience. Cultural Keys is run by two amazing individuals that work hard to... read more provide their students with the most immersive, authentic Shaolin Temple and Chinese Culture experience available to the public. If you decide to take the leap, AJ Donnelly will be your main instructor for the duration of your time in Shaolin and Nic will be your guide/encyclopedia.These two make a great team providing you with a well rounded experience, physically and culturally. If you are enthusiastic about martial arts and progressing yourself mentally and physically, you couldn't ask for a better instructor. AJ will push you beyond what you previously thought you were capable of, while guiding you for personal success throughout the trip.

  Having lived in Beijing for a few years, I thought it was about time to have a go at Kung Fu and went to AJ's class after a friend's recommendation.... read more

It was a fantastic cultural experience and a tough but fun work out! AJ will out you through your paces and give you interesting facts about his time learning with Shaolin monks.

I'd recommend it without a doubt!

Thanks AJ.

  If you are in Beijing, take this opportunity to visit CK in their Tongzhou studio! got a great calligraphy piece for my wall and a wonderful experience that will last

  If you're looking for genuine Feiyue, this is the place. Cultural Keys are easy to find and they offer excellent service. There are many different styles of Feiyue to choose... read more from, martial arts clothing and memorabilia. And if they don't happen to have your size or style in stock, AJ will order them for you. You can also order beautiful bespoke calligraphy wall hangings from them. AJ is also the founder of Cultural Keys who offers unique classes, services, and information about life and culture in China from calligraphy to mart

  I recently visited Nic and AJ’ s lovely art studio for a calligraphy workshop with my friends. This experience gave me much more than I expected: we learned about the... read more history and the making of Chinese calligraphy and I now truly appreciate the depth and sophistication of the true masters. I was able to bring home my very first attempt of calligraphy with my name written on it by the master. I would definitely take friends and visiting family members to this workshop and to the art village. Thank you Nic and AJ for a lovely day!

  The perfect activity to join for fun, knowledge and to get new and fresh view of all that Chinese traditional culture has to offer. So don't hesitate, is way more... read more than you can think. Is definitely a must! Such an expe

  This was a 3 hour workshop which touched on some of the basic (beginner) skills you need to master in Shaolin Kung Fu. We started with fitness training at the... read more beginning was structured in such a way that it also prepared us for some of the stances.

I'm very unfit, so it was difficult for me to keep up at the beginning. As I got into it, I became more comfortable and better. The team does a great job of pushing you, but also making you feel safe. Therefore you want to push yourself and do better.

Great work shop! Will definitely join the beginners classes!

If martial arts in on your bucket list, I'd suggest you do this work shop!

  I attended a few online presentations throughout March. Nick and AJ are really passionate about giving foreigners an introduction to Chinese culture. They present really well and naturally and are... read more always available to answer any questions you may have.

  Amazing experience with AJ and Nic in Tianjin! They've been extremely kind, hospitable and cheerful, making it an unforgettable trip. Very insightful too, I learnt a lot about Tianjin's... read more / China's history. Great food choices! Made some new friends. Loved the tourist attractions. The trip was super well organized! I highly recommend it!

  I have now done two workshops with Cultural Keys and they were both great. The studio in the art village is a bright and cheery place filled with different Chinese... read more arts. Nic gave interesting and informative presentations before the workshops and then a master artist gave instruction. Tea and snacks were provided as well as a delicious dumpling lunch at a quaint local restaurant. All in all a fun outing with friends, and I went home with a lovely piece of art!