The Shaolin Monastery lies below Wuru Peak at the northern foot of Shaoshi Hill of Mount Songshan in Henan Province. It was built in the 19th year (495) of the Taihe reign period of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The monastery is where the Chan (Zen) sect of Chinese Buddhism originated.

The monks of the monastery rendered outstanding service in helping Emperor Taizong to found the Tang Dynasty, and ever since then, the monks in the monastery has practised martial arts, Shaolin martial arts are known all over the world. There is a famous mural of the Ming Dynasty in the Thousand-Buddha Hall, depicting 500 Buddhist arhats, with an area of over 300 sq m. In the White Garment Hall are preserved the Shaolin Monastery boxing manual of the Qing Dynasty and a mural showing 13 monks saving the emperor.