A group of 300 American Shaolin kungfu enthusiasts made a pilgrimage to China's Shaolin Temple. The mixed-gender group took part in a ritual display of respect to Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Henan Province. The visitors represented the Shaolin Boxing Self-defense Union, the biggest martial arts organization in the United States. Students from the group have been traveling to the temple since 1997 to study the revered Shaolin kungfu style.

Their two leaders, Stephen Demasco and Charlie Maltera, learned the art from Shaolin kungfu master Shi Yongxin. The foreign Shaolin disciples have set up a commemorative stele to mark their return to the Shaolin Temple.