Hung Gar Kuen (Great family boxing) was founded by the shaolin disciple Hung Hei Gung in the late 17th/early 18th century.

According to tradition Hung was a disciple of Jee Shim, the legendary abbot of the Southern Shaolin temple in Fujian province (who is also credited by some schools as the originator of Wing Chun).

Hung was an expert in Southern Shaolin five animals boxing, and specialised in tiger claw boxing.

After the destruction of the Southern Shaolin temple Hung actively resisted the Manchu government for many years before settling down as a tea merchant in Fujian and continuing subversive activities.

Hung Hei Gung combined his skills with the white crane skills of his wife and formed a new system, including a set called Gung Gee Fook Fu Kuen (taming the tiger fist), which contained all of the principles of the system.

The most famous master of Hung Gar was Wong Fei Hung (1850-1933), a Chinese doctor from Fushan who founded the famous Po Chi Lam School in Canton.

Wong learned the art from his father Wong Kay Yin, and was responsible for introducing many techniques to Hung Gar, such as the drunken stance and the shadowless kick. He also created the famous “Tiger and Crane” set, which many feel is the signature set of Hung Gar.

Wong Fei Hung has been portrayed in over 150 films by such great kung fu stars as Kwan Tak Hing, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

Hung Gar is known for its powerful stance work and strong hand techniques, but it is a diverse system, containing long and short hand techniques, leg techniques, hard and soft combinations and internal training.