WuWeiSi (无为寺) is located about 12km Northwest of Dali Old Town. It is a popular place for learning Kung Fu or Tai Chi.
Cost: 500RMB per week (which includes dorm accommodation, vegetarian food and lessons).
The cost is non-refundable and non-negotiable. Therefore if you want to stay only one day it will still cost 500RMB.
Lesson times: Saturday-Wednesday: 7:00am-8:00am, 9:00am-Midday, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am-8:00am, 9:00am-Midday, no afternoon lesson
Friday: No lessons
Bookings: Not necessary. Just turn up.
Friday early evening is the best time to arrive to be ready for lessons on Saturday morning. That said, it is still possible to arrive on any day except Thursday.
Most guests at the monastery return to Dali Old Town on Thursday afternoon and go back on Friday early evening if they want to extend their lessons or need to finish a full week of tuition.
It is recommended to get a taxi to the monastery if you haven’t been there before, as it is quite difficult to find. Cost for the taxi is around 50rmb. Alternatively you can walk to the highway and hail a taxi (price will be about the same). On Fridays it is common to find other people going to the monastery in the afternoon or early evening to share the costs.
There is very limited electricity (for charging phones and the kitchen mainly). There is limited hot water as well – a “cauldron” allows you to splash some hot water over yourself to shave, wash hair or freshen up.
Suggested additional items to bring:
-
Light comfortable shoes
-
A torch
-
A towel
-
Insect repellent
-
A sleeping bag
-
(Guests who have just returned, please suggest anything else that would have been of use).
Thanks for the information, while applying today here in NY for the chinese visa, the clerk asked me for a letter of acceptance?? from the Temple/Monastery?, on the chinese application they ask: major purpose of the visa, I stated “Studying Shaolin Kung Fu in the Dali Mountains with Shaolin Monks”, I already purchased the air ticket for June and intend it to stay for 4 weeks, please help me, don’t know what to do now, the consulate did not rejected the visa just told me that I need the letter, thank very much. Eduardo
Hi Eduardo,
That’s an unfortunate situation. As far as I know WuWei temple won’t even take reservations. You are meant to just “turn up”.
Have you already paid the visa application fee? If not, I would just re-apply for a tourist visa with major purpose being “visit Yunnan province”.
Hi Eduardo, im curious about what you did to overcome this problem.
Hey, girls can do that to?
Absolutely!
Hi, is it possible to have a freelance work in a free-time after 12:30 to 4.00PM ?
Hi, do you mean private lessons? To be honest, I think you will appreciate the free time up in the beautiful mountains, but you could always ask the monks for private tuition.
Is it possible to go even when you are a martial arts beginner and speak very little chinese? I would love to learn.
Absolutely. Most of the people who take the week-long course at the temple are foreign tourists who don’t speak the language and have no prior experience. Check it out, and if you do go, please come back and tell us about your experience by leaving another comment on here.
Hey, thank you so much! I’m gonna go there next week and I’m really excited!
I was wondering though if for the winter time I will need to bring a sleeping bag? What do you think?
If you’ve got a sleeping bag handy it couldn’t hurt to take it…
Yes please do post I was thinking of going around this time next year and any insight would be appreciate
We are planning on going this year and was wondering if children are allowed. ages 8 and 12.
My daughters and I are interested in going but will they except children ages 10&12? And if so can they stay in the room with me? Thank you!
Hi Billie,
We spoke to the temple master. Children are welcome when they have a parent or guardian present.
Hi David, im planning to go mid-January, i am just not sure if visiting in January is a good timing in terms of weather… what do you think?
You can have a look at https://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/dali.htm for climate details. During the day is fine as long as the sun is out. The night can get cold (2-3 degrees celsius). The toughest part will be the cold showers…
Hi, is it ok if we stay only 2 nights (arrive Friday evening, leave Sunday during the day)? We are coming from Guanxi and then going to Hunan…
Thanks!
Yes, you can do that but you will still need to pay for the whole week (500RMB)…
Hello. How is the weather there in March? Is it too cold at night?
Hi Indy,
The weather is pretty good in March. Not too cold during the nights. Have a look at the climate chart below…
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/dali.htm
Cheers…
Hello,
soon i will be making my way to China to study Tai Chi. Most likely Wu Wei Si temple, Dali. Hopefully for 6-12 months.
I have a few questions for which answers i couldn’t find on the web.
1. VISA.
I’ve heard it is relatively easy to get 1 month tourist visa, and then maybe extend it for up to a year.
Will Wu Wei Si provide me with the letter of acceptance once i’m there ? And will i be able to extend it in Dali ? And is it expensive?
Better yet, how could i get a letter of acceptance as both the invitation letter and proof of accomodation before i apply for the Chinese visa, but without going through an agent ?
Like maybe from some other temple or school ?
I’m on supertight budget, agents are usually expensive. But it would be nice, if i could get a 1 year visa, or at least 3-6 months before i go there. As far as i know its the same price, no matter how long the visa, but i’m not sure how easy that would be.
Any tips on that, please ?
2. SHOES.
Can’t i buy them over there, like in the temple or in Dali ? How do the monks get theirs ?
3. SOCKS.
Since i’m In Chiang Mai Thailand, and thick cotton socks ( like the sports type ) are nowhere to be found, i could only find very thin cotton or synthetic ones. Will i easily find them in Dali ? How do the monks get theirs ?
4. COFFEE.
It will be hard to start the day so early without one. I have a little electric water boiler, will i be able to use that by the charging station ? If not, could i use a camping stove ?
5. RATES.
Do they have some long term stay special rate scheme ?
6. INTERNET.
Is it possible/easy to get a chinese sim card with a data package to have some internet access without going to Dali ? (doesn’t need to be fast/reliable).
7. MONEY.
I’m guessing Atm’s in Dali would provide, right ?
( I was in Iran a few years back, and only Iranian bank cards worked, easy to get stuck.. )
Thanx a buch for any info.
entity•°⊙
[ you can call me dex, if you need to call me something.. ]
Hi Dex,
Re visas: At the time of writing (March 20th, 2018)…If you enter China on a 30 day tourist visa you are only allowed to extend it twice for 30 days each time. After that you must leave China and reapply.
If you want to stay longer (say 6 months or more) you will need to enroll with a language school and obtain a student visa.
Most people who stay at Wu Wei Si come back to Dali Old Town on Thursday night to freshen up with a hot shower, drink a few beers and enjoy a soft mattress without being woken by chanting monks at 6am. The bigger guesthouses can register you electronically before you apply for a visa extension. See https://insightdali.com/visa-extension-dali/ for more information. If you require booking confirmations for your entire stay, some visitors get around this by booking on the Internet (booking.com), obtaining the automatic booking confirmation, printing and then cancelling. Whilst this requirement can be very frustrating, it is best to try and get your booking confirmations as accurate as possible. It would be a shame not to be allowed into China because the visa office checked your bookings…
Re Shoes: You can buy training shoes in Dali Old Town
Re Socks: Should be no problem finding them in Dali Old Town. If you can’t find the ones you want there, just order them through “www.taobao.com”. Chinese friends will be able to order them on your behalf.
Re Coffee: I have heard the power point at Wu Wei Si is in high demand. Maybe take a power board with your coffee machine so others can get electricity at the same time.
Re Rates: I’m not aware of any special long term rates, but it can’t hurt to try and negotiate one…
Re Internet: You will need the help of a Chinese friend to get a SIM card like this. For anyone to obtain a SIM card in this area of China, they will need a Chinese ID card. Apparently passports are not enough. I have also heard that China’s 4G network is not compatible with some International phones. Whilst you should be able to receive Internet, it may be at slower data rates.
Re Money: You should have no problem getting money out with a foreign credit card in Bank of China, Dali Old Town.
Hope this helps…
Hi, are you open during the national holiday beginning of October?
Will you be opened next week/national holiday?
Hi Karin,
Wu Wei Si is normally open during the national holidays. Some people go there to escape the high cost of guesthouse accommodation during this period.
Hello David, with enough hardwork and training would one be able to earn a instructor level grading under the guidance of the monk? Also would the monks allow you to leave the monastery and return if given notice? I want to go for 1.5 years for training and hopefully gain a discipleship under the shifu but ill have to return home briefly to renew my visa. Thanks!
Hi Adam,
You’ll need to talk to the head monk about this one…
Hi David,
Is it possible to stay ate the temple for a night or two, just experiencing life there, without taking any lessons? Would the price still be 500 RMB?
My dad is coming for a visit, and I’m sure he would enjoy a temple stay. He practiced Kungfu in the past, but he is too old now…
He also doesn’t speak Chinese at all, how hard would it be for him to get to the temple on his own from the train station (coming from Kunming)?
Thanks
Hi Marie,
A suggestion: get your Dad to make a day trip to the temple and talk to the monks.
Most drivers would know where the temple is. A taxi from Xiaguan would be 70-100RMB. Another option if he can get to the Jade Emu Guesthouse, the staff speak English and would be able to help him get to the temple.
Regards…
Hi….
Me and my friend have decided to go there for 3 months…..how can we get some contact from the Temple or how to book accommodation because we need to plan things because of our job.
Thank you
Hi Marjetka,
It’s not possible to book. Just turn up and they will accommodate you…
Hey
If i go there a few weeks in September will there be lots of Foreigners in the monastery?
I would like to find a monastery with as little “outsiders”as possible.
Thank you
Hi Silvan,
There are nearly always foreigners training at WuWeiSi monastery.
Hey, I was wondering if there is any other benefit to starting on a Saturday (other then losing a day if you start on Sunday)
Thank you
You can start any day and still get one week of tuition. If you start on Sunday you are welcome to train until the end of next Saturday. Which day of the week is not important here…
Hi,
Few updates from may 2019
Temple still working, the same schedule, 500yuan per week. Shower is possible every day and it’s hot. Electricity 24/7, just outside dorm room. No booking necessary, just show up, they will always accept you
Take with you: toilet paper, long clothes for training, fruit, snacks, etc… Cheers, Patrik
What are the available transportations to reach wu wei si temple from Beijing?
Thanks, Ghada
There are daily flights from Beijing to Dali. From the airport a taxi to the temple would cost around 120rmb and take about one hour.
Is there any way to contact the temple directly like a call or email to send to to ask any further questions or if a parent needs to contact them in emergency….
We have the mobile number for the head monk, but will only give it out in emergencies.
Use the “Contact Us” form in the “About Us” section of insightdali.com if you really need it.
We are 3 guys came today .. its still available to stay .. we will be staying for 2 months
Hello! How do you get from the temple to the airport/Dali old town if no one else is headed there? I assume you can’t call a cab from the temple, right?
If you’re carrying a mobile phone you can download an app called “Didi”. It’s like a Chinese version of Uber.
Alternatively you could call a guesthouse to arrange a pickup for you. The Jade Emu Guesthouse (+8613887232726) has drivers that can pick you up from the temple and take you to the airport (~150RMB).
Looking to stay during the week of the National Holiday, 1-7/10. Is there a way to contact the temple to make sure they are open during this time? Also, is there a way to make a reservation? Or to make sure there is room for us during this week.
Thanks!
Hi Yael,
The temple is always open. It does not close (even for National Holidays and Chinese New Year). You cannot make a reservation. Just turn up and they will make room for you…
Hi! I am planning to visit Wuweusi during the christmas holiday this year. From 19th dec to 28th dec. Is it open during this time?
Yes, it will be open.
This monastery is a dream. Sooner or later I’ll get there.
I have a question:
How do you find it on the map? I’m struggling with that. Google maps doesn’t seem to be of service this time 🙂
Hi Aurimus,
Just use http://www.openstreetmap.org and do a search for “Wu Wei Si Temple”. The first search result is the temple…
Do you have to leave and return every week? I would like to stay for a month straight.
Does anyone know if the temple is accepting people for study at this time (June 2021)? I imagine that the temple shut down during the peak period of the COVID crisis in China… but is it up and functioning as normal now? Thanks for any information….
I was wondering are people still allowed to go even with Covid
Hi Sue,
No, you won’t be able to go with Covid. Within China, you won’t be able to travel without a negative Covid test. From outside China tourist permits are still not available…