During the Qing Dynasty the government, threatened by the Shaolin monks, began persecuting them. Nine Shaolin monks immigrated to Hainan Island, where they began teaching Shaolin kung fu to the local people.

The art was passed down over generations, and in 1860 the Hainan people appointed four national leaders to oversee training in one of four regions – the northern, southern, eastern, and western.

In 1945 Master Lam Yu Lan retired, appointing his second son, Lam Minh Hao, to be in charge.

Great Grand Master Lam Minh Hao had a very creative mind, a passion for martial arts, and the wealth of knowledge he gained from his father.

From 1945 to 1948 he diligently promoted the art of Shaolin kung fu in Saigon, Vietnam.

On June 5, 1999 the Thanh Lien Martial Arts School opened its first branch in North America, the Shaolin Kung Fu Centre, under the leadership of Grandmaster Minh-Hung Ly.

A student of Thanh Lien since he was 11 years old, Grandmaster Ly has been continuously and tirelessly promoting southern China tiger style Shaolin kung fu (Chinese martial art) to Canadians from all walks of life.

On June 5, 1999 the Thanh Lien Martial Arts School opened its first branch in North America, the Shaolin Kung Fu Centre, under the leadership of Grandmaster Minh-Hung Ly.

A student of Thanh Lien since he was 11 years old, Grandmaster Ly has been continuously and tirelessly promoting southern China tiger style Shaolin kung fu (Chinese martial art) to Canadians from all walks of life.

Ian Ly has been training in the art of Shaolin kung fu since August 2010, and continuously strives to become stronger by sharpening his skills under the guidance of his Master, Grandmaster Ly.

Starting 2016, Ian has spent many hours instructing his fellow classmates, and students and assisting the school in whatever capacity he can.

From 2012 until present, Ian has been competing in countless International traditional kung fu competitions, and won countless placements to became famous through out North America.