Victor Wembanyama's 10-Day Shaolin Retreat
The NBA's most unstoppable force shaved his head, wore monk robes, and trained kung fu with a 34th-generation Shaolin warrior. This is the story of what he found — and how you can walk the same path.
Shaolin Temple at sunrise — where Wembanyama trained for 10 days with Master Yan'an
Route
Beijing (Great Wall, Volleyball) → Dengfeng (Shaolin Temple)
Duration
10+ days at Shaolin Temple + Beijing sightseeing
Training Focus
Kung Fu, Chan Meditation, Night Mountain Climbs
The Complete Journey (6 Key Moments)
登长城
🎯 The Moment: Wembanyama's first words on the Great Wall: 'It's crazy'
Victor Wembanyama's China journey began like many visitors — at the Great Wall. The 7-foot-4 NBA superstar, who had just been cleared to resume physical activities following shoulder surgery, arrived in Beijing and immediately headed to one of the world's most iconic landmarks. In a video posted to Instagram by the Spurs' official account, Wembanyama declared from the Wall itself: 'Victor Wembanyama, live from China, on the Great Wall itself, having an amazing time. It's crazy.' For a player known for blocking 176 shots in a season — a feat never achieved alongside 400+ three-pointers — the Wall was one of the few structures on Earth that made him feel normal-sized.
Cultural Context
The Great Wall stretches over 21,000 km across northern China. The most visited sections near Beijing (Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling) were originally built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to defend against Mongol invasions. It's the only man-made structure visible from space.
Traveler Tips
- •Visit Mutianyu section for fewer crowds and a toboggan ride down
- •Jinshanling is best for photography with its unrestored 'wild wall' sections
- •Arrive at 7:00 AM when gates open to avoid tour bus crowds
- •Wear sturdy shoes — the stone steps are uneven and steep
The Great Wall — Wembanyama's first stop in China
观战女排
🎯 The Moment: Cheering for France at the Women's Volleyball Nations League
Before retreating into monastic life, Wembanyama took in another iconic Chinese experience: live volleyball. He attended a Women's Volleyball Nations League match in Beijing where France faced Belgium. The connection was personal — his agent Bouna Ndiaye's daughter plays for the French national team. China's passion for volleyball dates back to the 1980s 'Iron Hammer Lang Ping' era, and matches draw passionate crowds. For Wembanyama, it was a glimpse into another aspect of Chinese culture where discipline, teamwork, and national pride intersect.
Cultural Context
Volleyball holds a uniquely sacred place in Chinese sports culture. The women's national team's five consecutive world championships (1981-1986) became a symbol of China's rise on the global stage. The phrase '女排精神' (women's volleyball spirit) represents perseverance, teamwork, and refusing to give up.
Traveler Tips
- •Beijing's Capital Indoor Stadium hosts major volleyball and basketball matches
- •Tickets for international tournaments can be purchased via Damai or Trip.com
- •The atmosphere at Chinese volleyball matches is electric — fans chant and drum throughout
- •Women's volleyball is significantly more popular than men's in China
入寺剃度
🎯 The Moment: A master shaved his head. He traded Nike Tech for monk robes.
After his Beijing sightseeing, Wembanyama made the journey to Dengfeng in Henan province — a 2-hour bus ride from Zhengzhou through winding mountain roads. His agent Bouna Ndiaye had personally scouted the location first, taking a high-speed train from Beijing and then a bus to ensure the monastery could accommodate a 7-foot-4 global superstar. Upon arrival, Wembanyama had his head shaved by a master monk and donned traditional robes. Photos of the towering NBA center in monk attire, sitting on a Chinese-style chair before Buddha sculptures, went viral worldwide. The transformation was striking: one of the most recognizable athletes on Earth had become, momentarily, just another student seeking wisdom.
Cultural Context
The Shaolin Temple, founded in 495 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty, is the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu. It has trained warrior monks for over 1,500 years. While foreigners cannot be ordained as monks, the temple welcomes approved visitors for spiritual immersion and martial arts training.
Traveler Tips
- •Dengfeng is accessible by bus from Zhengzhou (2 hours) or Luoyang (1.5 hours)
- •The temple complex includes the main Shaolin Temple, Pagoda Forest, and Wuru Peak
- •Visit early morning (before 8 AM) to see monks practicing kung fu in the courtyard
- •Dress modestly — shoulders and knees should be covered when visiting temples
严安大师训练
🎯 The Moment: Six to eight hours of daily training with a 34th-generation warrior monk
Wembanyama's teacher was Master Yan'an, a 34th-generation Shaolin warrior monk who had trained at the temple since age 6 and later lived in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. for seven years, giving him rare English fluency. The training regimen was grueling: six to eight hours per day of kung fu practice, plus hours of meditation. Master Yan'an told Wembanyama: 'You play basketball, and I do kung fu. If you want to be great, you have to do things that other people can't do.' The master focused on building Wembanyama's inner strength alongside his prodigious physical abilities, teaching him to maintain his center of gravity through contact — a skill that would prove invaluable on the basketball court.
Cultural Context
Shaolin Kung Fu encompasses hundreds of fighting styles, weapon techniques, and qigong (breath control) exercises. The temple's training emphasizes '禅武合一' — the unity of Chan (Zen) meditation and martial arts. Legend says Bodhidharma, the monk who brought Zen Buddhism to China, created the first exercises to help monks stay awake during long meditation sessions.
Traveler Tips
- •Visitors can book authentic Shaolin Kung Fu classes ranging from 2-hour workshops to multi-day retreats
- •Training typically includes basic stances, punching forms, and breathing exercises
- •The best time to visit is April-May or September-October for mild weather
- •Nearby Songshan Mountain offers excellent hiking with temple ruins along the trail
夜登达摩洞
🎯 The Moment: 1,500 stone steps. Total darkness. Just breath, awareness, and footfalls.
On the sixth night of his retreat, Master Yan'an led Wembanyama up Wuru Peak to the Bodhidharma Cave — a climb of roughly 1,500 stone steps with no lights, no guardrails, and steps of varying heights. 'There were no lights anywhere,' Master Yan'an recounted. 'You can't see anything. The only way to go is step by step. Listen to your breath and listen to your heart. Feel each step with your foot. Use your awareness.' Two Spurs staffers who had accompanied Wembanyama expressed reservations. The master worried too — he had been entrusted with a global icon. But Wembanyama understood. Legend says Bodhidharma himself had made this climb in 527 A.D. and meditated facing a stone wall for nine years. Wembanyama was walking in the footsteps of a legend — in total darkness.
Cultural Context
Wuru Peak rises behind the Shaolin Temple and is considered one of the most sacred sites in Chinese Buddhism. Bodhidharma, the Indian monk credited with bringing Chan (Zen) Buddhism to China, is said to have spent nine years in a cave near the summit, meditating while facing a wall. The climb is a pilgrimage for Buddhist practitioners worldwide.
Traveler Tips
- •The climb to Bodhidharma Cave takes 1-2 hours during daylight for regular tourists
- •The path is steep and uneven — good hiking shoes and a flashlight are essential
- •Start early morning to avoid midday heat and afternoon thunderstorms
- •The cave itself is small and simple — the journey, not the destination, is the point
The 1,500 stone steps to Bodhidharma Cave — climbed in total darkness
百人冥想
🎯 The Moment: Sessions lasted as long as a burning incense stick — up to 90 minutes
Several times a day, Wembanyama sat in meditation with approximately 100 other monks. The length of each session was determined by the wick of incense burning in the center of the room. Thirty minutes was manageable. But when the incense burned for 90 minutes, it was 'agonizing' for the 21-year-old NBA star unaccustomed to stillness. 'I knew he could do it,' Master Yan'an said. 'Because when he trains, he always tries again and again until he is the best.' The meditation was perhaps the hardest part of the entire retreat — harder than any kung fu form, harder than the night climb. In basketball, Wembanyama could outwork everyone. In meditation, there was nothing to achieve, nowhere to go, nothing to conquer. Just breath, awareness, and the burning of incense.
Cultural Context
Chan (Zen) meditation emphasizes direct experience over scriptural study. The practice of 'sitting meditation' (坐禅) involves focusing on breath and posture to quiet the mind. In group settings, a wooden instrument called a 'muyu' (wooden fish) marks the beginning and end of sessions, while incense provides a natural timer.
Traveler Tips
- •Many temples in China offer meditation sessions for visitors, some in English
- •Begin with 10-15 minute sessions and gradually increase duration
- •The key is not to 'empty your mind' but to observe thoughts without attachment
- •Comfortable cross-legged posture is traditional, but sitting in a chair is perfectly acceptable
Meditation with 100 monks — incense determining the length of each session
Experience the Shaolin Journey Yourself
Train authentic Shaolin Kung Fu near the temple where Wembanyama transformed himself. Learn basic boxing and forms from certified instructors, understand the philosophy of Zen-martial arts unity, and walk the same grounds where monks have trained for 1,500 years.
Shaolin Temple 101: What Wembanyama Discovered
- 拳Quan (Fist) — Hand-to-hand combat techniques, the foundation of all Shaolin martial arts
- 械Xie (Weapons) — Mastery of staff, spear, sword, and chain whip
- 功Gong (Qigong) — Breathing exercises and internal energy cultivation
- 擒Qin (Grappling) — Joint locks, throws, and submission techniques
- 指Zhi (Finger) — Specialized finger-strike techniques for precision striking
- 5:00 AMMorning chanting and meditation session
- 6:00 AMMorning kung fu training (2-3 hours of forms and conditioning)
- 11:30 AMVegetarian lunch (no speaking during meals)
- 2:00 PMAfternoon training and qigong practice
- 6:00 PMEvening meditation and sutra study
- 9:00 PMLights out — sleep on simple wooden beds
Frequently Asked Questions
After a season-ending shoulder surgery (deep vein thrombosis), Wembanyama sought a challenge that would test him physically and mentally in new ways. His agent researched martial arts masters across China, India, and Japan before selecting the Shaolin Temple. Wembanyama wanted to build his inner strength alongside his prodigious physical abilities, and he was intrigued by the monks' discipline and training methods.
Yes! The Shaolin Temple is open to tourists and welcomes visitors who wish to study Chan meditation, Shaolin Kung Fu, and traditional Chinese medicine. Day visitors can explore the temple complex, watch kung fu demonstrations, and even participate in short martial arts classes. For a deeper experience, multi-day retreats with accommodation inside the temple grounds can be arranged through authorized programs.
Visitors can book authentic Shaolin Kung Fu experiences ranging from 2-hour introductory workshops to week-long intensive training. Classes typically cover basic stances, punching forms, kicks, and breathing exercises taught by certified instructors. For serious practitioners, the temple runs longer programs through affiliated kung fu schools in Dengfeng. ZZ-001 Zhengzhou Shaolin Kung Fu Experience offers a 2-3 hour authentic class near the temple.
While at the temple, Wembanyama primarily ate the same strict vegetarian diet as the monks, in accordance with Buddhist principles. However, to meet his nutritional needs as a professional athlete, his team arranged for a Sprinter van to deliver high-protein meals from local restaurants outside the temple walls. He would eat inside the van, dispose of any remaining meat, and return to the monastery.
According to his agent Bouna Ndiaye and ESPN's reporting, Wembanyama returned transformed. His conditioning became 'second to none,' his mental strength was something his team 'hadn't seen before,' and his body control — particularly maintaining balance through contact on one leg — showed clear improvement. Master Yan'an specifically trained him to keep his center of gravity intact, a skill directly applicable to post play in the NBA.
Related Martial Arts Experiences
Related Martial Arts Experiences
Train Where Wembanyama Trained
You don't need to be 7-foot-4 to experience Shaolin Kung Fu. Book an authentic class near the legendary temple and discover the discipline that transformed an NBA superstar.
Do You Need a Visa for China?
Many nationalities can visit China visa-free for 30 days. Check if your country qualifies before booking your Shaolin adventure.