Chinese Kungfu is a precious element of China's cultural heritage. During its thousands of years of history there have been many excellent practitioners and world-famous martial arts actors such as Bruce Lee, Jet Li and Jackie Chan. People can really admire the charm of Chinese martial arts from the wonderful works of these practitioners.

Who is Bruce Lee?

Bruce Lee (27 November 1940?– 20 July 1973) was a Chinese American actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, screenwriter, film producer , film director , and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement. He is considered one of the most influential martial artists of the 20th century, and a cultural icon.
Upon reaching the age of 18, Lee emigrated from China to America to claim his U.S. Citizenship and receive his higher education when he began teaching martial arts, which soon led to film and television roles.

Many see Lee as a model blueprint for acquiring a strong and efficient body and the highest possible level of physical fitness, as well as developing a mastery of martial arts and hand to hand combat skills. Bruce Lee’s films in Hong Kong and Hollywood elevated the traditional Hong Kong martial arts film to a new level of popularity , which aroused a surge of interest in Chinese Kung Fu in the West in the 1970s.
The direction and tone of his films changed and influenced martial arts and martial arts films in Hong Kong and the rest of the world. His popularity around the world can be attributed to five feature-length films, Lo Wei's The Big Boss and Fist of Fury; Way of the Dragon, directed and written by Lee; Warner Brothers' Enter the Dragon, directed by Robert Clouse, and The Game of Death.

Bruce Lee portrayed Chinese nationalism through his films, he became an iconic figure known throughout the world and in particular among the Chinese. While Lee initially trained in Wing Chun, he later rejected well-defined martial art styles, and instead favored to utilize useful techniques from various sources in the spirit of his personal martial arts philosophy. In 2010, he was ranked the 27th greatest American athlete of all time by Time Magazine, and was the only immigrated athlete on the list.

Jackie Chan, born in April 1954 is a Chinese actor, action choreographer, filmmaker, comedian, director, producer, screenwriter, entrepreneur,martial artist, singer and stunt performer.
Chan is one of the best-known names in Kung Fu and action films worldwide, known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons and innovative stunts. Jackie Chan has been acting since the 1970s and has appeared in over 100 films. Chan has received stars on the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

As a cultural icon, Chan has been referenced in various pop songs, cartoons and video games. Besides acting, Chan is a Cantopop and Mandopop star, having released 20 albums since 1984 and sung many of the theme songs for the films in which he has starred.

Jet Li also Li Lianjie, is a Chinese martial artist, actor, film producer, wushu champion, and international film star who was born in Beijing, China, April 26, 1963, although he currently takes up Singapore citizenship.
Jet Li won his first national championship for the Beijing Wushu Team after three years of intensive training with Wu Bin. At age 17, he went on to win great acclaim in China as an actor making his debut with the film Shaolin Temple in 1982. He went on to star in many critically acclaimed martial arts epic films. He portrayed folk hero Wong Fei-hung, in most notable series Once Upon A Time In China.

Li's first Hollywood film leading role was in Romeo Must Die (2000). He has gone on to star in many Hollywood action films, most recently starring beside Jackie Chan in The Forbidden Kingdom (2008), and as the titular villain in The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor (2008) .

After The Shaolin Temple ,introduced in 1982 ,was shown in Asia, Australia and America, it created an overwhelming craze in Mainland China, and aroused a sensation in international movie circles. The leading actor Jet Li also became an internationally influential star along with the movie. Jet Li had remained the All-around National Martial Art Champion of China for five consecutive years. Today, the unprecedented records created by Jet Li have not yet been broken.