Nestled in the mist-shrouded Songshan Mountains, the 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple continues to inspire global fascination as both a spiritual sanctuary and martial arts epicenter. CGTN's newly released documentary 'The Spirit of Shaolin' offers viewers an unprecedented look into this UNESCO World Heritage Site through the lens of host Sergey Gordeev.
The film traces the temple's dual legacy as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of kung fu, featuring rare interviews with senior inheritors of ancient combat techniques and young monks adapting traditions to 21st-century life. Viewers witness Gen Z practitioners balancing smartphone use with meditation routines, embodying what Abbot Shi Yongxin describes as roots in the past, eyes on tomorrow.
Historical reenactments juxtapose with footage of the temple's modern cultural diplomacy efforts, including international martial arts academies and interfaith dialogues. The documentary particularly highlights 2025 initiatives celebrating the temple's role in China's intangible cultural heritage preservation.
