A Honeymoon, Wing Chun, and an Unexpected Connection in Shanghai

WingChun class in Shanghai’s park

When Alessio and his wife arrived in China for their honeymoon, they already had an ambitious journey planned.

Their trip would take them across some of China's most famous destinations, including Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, and Shanghai. Along the way, they hoped to experience not only the country's landscapes and history, but also the culture that had fascinated them for years.

One stop on their honeymoon itinerary was a Wing Chun experience in Shanghai.

At first, I simply thought they were an energetic and athletic couple.

As I often do during our Wing Chun sessions, I accompanied them to help document the experience with photos and videos. Watching them practice the movements, I immediately noticed something different. Their posture was stable, their reactions were quick, and every movement seemed purposeful.

Even before I knew anything about their background, I remember thinking:

"These two really look like martial artists."

Only later did I discover why.

Both Alessio and his wife are experienced karate instructors from Genoa, Italy, and both hold black belts.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

As the lesson continued, the conversation between them and our Wing Chun instructor became increasingly fascinating. What began as a cultural experience quickly evolved into a genuine exchange between martial artists.

They discussed techniques, training methods, principles, and philosophies. Some parts of the conversation became so technical that I could only follow pieces of it, but it was clear that everyone shared a deep respect for the martial arts.

What impressed me most was not their skill, but their attitude.

Despite their years of training and experience, they approached the class with curiosity and humility. They asked thoughtful questions, carefully observed the details, and eagerly explored the differences and similarities between Wing Chun and karate.

At one point, after learning about their martial arts background, I jokingly told Alessio's wife:

"You look like one of those martial arts masters from a Hollywood movie."

She laughed, but honestly, that was exactly the impression she gave.

For Alessio, the Wing Chun experience was also a special part of their honeymoon. Among all the places they visited in China, he often spoke about how much he loved the landscapes of Guilin. Yet in Shanghai, instead of choosing a typical sightseeing activity, they chose to spend part of their honeymoon learning a traditional Chinese martial art together.

It felt like a meaningful way to celebrate a new chapter of their lives.

Then came one final surprise.

As the conversation continued, they discovered that they and our instructor actually knew some of the same people within the international martial arts community.

In a country as vast as China and a world as large as ours, it seemed almost impossible. Yet somehow, through martial arts, their paths had already been connected long before they met in Shanghai.

Martial artists from Shanghai and Genova

Moments like these remind us why we love hosting cultural experiences.

Sometimes guests come to learn a new skill.

Sometimes they come to explore a different culture.

And sometimes, complete strangers discover they have far more in common than they ever imagined.

Thank you, Alessio and your wife, for sharing this memorable chapter of your honeymoon with us.

We wish you both a lifetime of happiness, adventure, and continued growth on your martial arts journey.

A Note From Our Guests

Following their Wing Chun experience during their honeymoon in China, Alessio and his wife shared this reflection:

"Sharing our passion for martial arts with this group has been a truly wonderful experience that we will always cherish.

Everything impressed us, from the welcoming atmosphere to the care and attention devoted to teaching the technical aspects of the discipline.

We highly recommend this experience to anyone interested in martial arts. Their passion, expertise, and dedication to the art of Kung Fu were evident throughout the session."

— Alessio & Wife
Karate Instructors from Genoa, Italy