Gung Fu is the generic name (Cantonese) for a wide range of Chinese combative systems. The most popular of these combative systems are the five Shaolin Style Animal systems: Snake, Tiger, Crane, Panther, and Dragon.

In dealing with the recently popularized concept of gung fu, one must begin the discussion by explaining that gung fu is not a martial art unto itself, yet it encompasses the most effective and devastating methods of self-preservation known to man. The identity of gung fu is diverse; over 1,000 styles are known or recognized. From Gung fu came Karate, Escrima, and most important, a way of thinking that became a code of life.

Gung Fu requires of the practitioner a strict code of physical and mental discipline, unparalleled in Western pursuits. It is only as a whole concept that kung fu can be discussed, and this entails more than fighting.

Gung Fu (Kung Fu) and wushu are popular terms that have become synonymous with Chinese martial arts. However the Chinese terms gung fu and wushu have very different meanings. Wushu can describe greatly varying martial arts traditions. Gung fu can be used in a context without any martial arts whatsoever. Colloquially, gung fu (or kung fu) alludes to any individual accomplishment or cultivated skill obtained by long and hard work. In contrast, wushu is a more precise term that refers to general martial activities. The term wushu has also become the name for a modern sport similar to gymnastics involving the performance of adapted Chinese bare-handed and weapons forms judged to a set of contemporary aesthetic criteria for points.