John has always been curious about what kung fu or wing chun schools look like abroad, so during his trip to Taipei in April 2025, he made it a point to seek one out. Ducking away from the bustling traffic of Bade Road into the narrow quiet of Alley 51, a rhythmic, hollow clacking echoed from above. The sound led him up a weathered fourth-floor rooftop walk-up: the World Lo Man Kam Wing Chun Kung Fu FederationFounded in 1975, this rooftop is a living time capsule.
Sifu Lo Man Kam—the biological nephew and direct indoor student of Grandmaster Ip Man—keeps the unfiltered martial lineage shared by Bruce Lee completely untouched by modernization. John sat in a corner, watching the master explain complex combat mechanics with extreme clarity and a sharp, infectious wit.
Sifu Lo's resume reads like a spy novel, including a stint as the chief combat instructor for the Taiwan Special Forces. He even authored “Police Kung Fu”, a tactical manual translated globally. John managed to buy a copy and got it signed on the spot. Before leaving, a local practitioner left John with an intriguing bit of traditional gatekeeping: students aren't allowed to touch the Muk Yan Jong (wooden dummy) right away. They must grind the absolute basics for years first. A patient reminder that the foundation is everything.
Camera : Ricoh GR iii HDF
