Piguaquan (
Traditional Chinese: 劈掛拳, literally "chop-hanging fist"), also known as
Piguazhang (劈掛掌, "chop-hanging palm") due to its emphasis on palm techniques, is often practiced along with
Bajiquan (八極拳, literally "eight extremes fist") and is a style of
wushu (
Chinese martial arts) that features explosive, long-range power. It originated in
Cangzhou, a prefecture in
Hebei Province of
North China, but today is also well known in other locales, including
Taiwan. Piguaquan's power is from the accelerational force of the arms which are often in rotation. The hip movement in Piguaquan is more subtle and gentle compared to Bajiquan, because you only need enough to guide the big chops whereas in
Bajiquan, the hammers, punches, elbows and swings rely completely on the quick and powerful rotation of the hips, and sink to bring its power out.