A person practices Yi Jin Jing, a traditional qigong exercise. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfb001]      

Yi Jin Jing, literally meaning "muscle-and-tendon-transforming sutra", is a traditional qigong exercise which many are first introduced to through wuxia (martial arts) novels by Hong Kong novelist Jin Yong, aka Louis Cha Leung-Yung.

Zong Heng, a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Taoist priest from Tiantai, a county-level city in Taizhou, is widely believed to have invented the Taoist version of the Yi Jin Jing qigong exercise.

Yi Jin Jing is widely practiced as a way to build up one's stamina and inner strength, as well as improve one's performance both physically and mentally.

In late December 2020, it was designated as a candidate to become national intangible cultural heritages by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.