Larry Lee, a 72-year-old resident of Orange County, told Xinhua he has been practicing Kung Fu for over 50 years. "The traditional Chinese martial arts has deep wisdom in it. It relates to a way of life that goes much deeper than just fighting."

Lee said besides Kung Fu, he is also interested in Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and other elements of the Chinese culture.

The Shaolin Cultural Day also featured a series of demonstrations on Zen arts, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the world of Zen Buddhism, experience the elegance of a traditional tea ceremony, learn the art of incense-making, and indulge in the harmonious melodies of Zen music.

The 2023 Shaolin Cultural Day served as a fitting finale to the 2023 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, providing a platform to honor and appreciate the contributions of the AAPI community.

"The event will help people of other communities to be better informed about the best of China and the Chinese culture, and thereby fostering mutual understanding and friendship," said Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles Wang Taiyu.

"We hope through such activities, we can promote friendship between Chinese and American peoples, and contribute to China-US relations," he said.