External and internal styles differ from each other mainly on ways the power displayed. Under power we mean not only muscular force but the special power connected to inner human energy. Pressure and might, hard strikes and widely peak movements prevail in external styles. Some styles imitate movements of real or mythical animals (like tiger, crane, dragon etc.). The most typical representatives of "external" styles are Shaolin wushu branches and the numerous discerning schools.

Shaolin wushu is one of the famous among other styles and schools of wushu. Having been made the head of Shaolin, Bodhi-dharma trained monks showing 18 martial tricks complex later called “18 hands of Arhkat”. It has 24 movements poetically named ‘Dragon dances’, ‘Crane dances’, ‘The beauty enjoys a lotus flower’, etc. A new “Five hands” complex was based on it. Shaolin styles included more than 200 various branches such as ‘A game of 5 animals’, ‘Spring and fall’, etc.

According to historical records, the Shaolin Temple was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty in the 19th calendar year of the reign of Emperor Taihe (495) and is one of China's most famous ancient temples. The Shaolin Temple once had many monks on its premises. Monks of the lower level mostly came from secular society and some of them knew some martial arts before entering the temple. Those who knew martial arts taught and helped others to improve their skills. They also absorbed the experience of their predecessors and developed their martial arts into the unique Shaolin School.

These are some famous schools: ‘Five animals game’, ‘White crane school’, ‘Red fist’, ‘Soft school’, etc. Shaolin styles are very popular in different regions of China. Some schools appeared on the west, the USA, Canada and other countries. Shaolin’s boxing is getting popular in Russia.

Shaolin wushu requirements:
- Simplicity and rigid force;
- Straight and curved punches;
- Aside and up-n-down body movements, etc.

In Shaolin hand-to-hand fight internal (heart and mind, mind and Qi-energy, Qi-energy and force) and external (hands and feet, elbows and knees, shoulders and legs) work coordination is crucial. Shaolin methods can be described in a such way - ‘move as wind’, ‘stay as nailed’, ‘heavy as iron’, ‘light as a leaf’, ‘defend as a virgin’, ‘attack as a wild tiger’. There are practical rules: “furious outside – calm inside”, “to fuss on the east – to attack from the west”, “to point up – to beat from underneath”, “empty and full are used at the same time”, “there are methods for Yin, there are methods for Yan”. Moves are powerful and dexterous, the meaning is deep but simple.

Shaolin school is based on 6 principles:
- "Time" mastership has to be perfect.
- "Conformity": Qi-energy moves along with body
- “Courage” – is a decision. If there is chance to attack – do not hesitate, just do it.
- “Quickness” is a speed.
- “Fury” – movements must be powerful.
- “Authenticity” - do not train beautiful but empty movements.