This kid is kungfu fighting

One of the most popular attractions in Henan province is the Shaolin Temple, a Buddhist temple famous for kungfu fighting monks. Now, visitors can catch a glimpse of the martial arts practitioners the temple is renowned for at the Expo 2010 Shanghai.

The Henan Pavilion promotes its culture to the world by bringing kungfu masters to perform in the Expo Garden. The Shaolin Temple kungfu show will continue until the end of the Expo.

Twelve-year-old Zheng Haohao, or Shi Yanhao, the name he goes by at the Shaolin Temple, is one of those performers. The young boy is a specialist in kungfu and enjoys sharing his talent with audiences all over the world. He performs four times a day. His passion and interest in learning kungfu convinced his parents to send him to the Shaolin Temple. Haohao left his home in Fuyang, Anhui province, three years ago at the age of nine. Devoting his life to the martial arts and the temple, he left behind his parents, a 14-year-old sister and a three-year-old brother. He only gets to go back to his family for 15 days a year during the Spring Festival.

Although he is away from home, he enjoys his life at the temple. And those who live at the temple enjoy a very healthy lifestyle.

He begins his day at 6 am with a run in the fresh mountain air. He said that this part of the day is very important in order to maintain his spirit.

After breakfast at 8 am, young monks like Haohao will spend time before noon taking school lessons in subjects such as maths and science.

"Basic courses are taught," said Shi Yanfeng, a 27-year-old senior monk. "They're not so hard. After all, here it is the kungfu that is essential."

After lunch, the afternoon is spent practicing kungfu. Haohao said he has learned more the three major kungfu styles taught at the temple.

Food at the Shaolin Temple is basic. Monks are served vegetarian dishes. Haohao is okay with a life without meat and, in fact, says he loves the food in the temple, especially the eggplant.

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While other children his age have the Internet, TV and comic books, Haohao lives in a world focused on nature and peace. Instead of hanging out with friends in the street, he spends his time practicing kungfu with other young monks.

"We usually compare kungfu moves in our spare time," he said.

"They always like to run in the mountain," said Shi, the senior monk. "We quite enjoy this lifestyle. It's pure and simple."

This is not the first time that Haohao has left the temple to give performances. He said that he has visited New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom in past three years. That's why he says he is never nervous performing in front of people.

"I like to perform in front of an audience. They like my performances, and I feel very happy when performing."