The practice of Wushu has evolved from primitive fighting and survival techniques that were used by tribes in ancient China. As recorded in early classics, the first weapons were hunting and farming tools that were transformed into punitive weapons that were used during frequent and fierce wars. These weapons included stone knives, stones, axes, shovels, and bone arrowheads. Duels with wooden cudgels were often used to decide who would rule over tribes. Early historical records described how Emperor Huang (the Yellow Emperor) used Gan (shields) and Ge (hook weapons) to conquer the Dukes of ancient China and establish himself as the head of the Union of Tribes. and refined and these traditions were gradually merged into common customs such traditional dances and more importantly into military training exercises.

Between the 16th and 11th century (the Bronze era) new weapons, such as staffs, spears, axes, broad-swords, and rapiers, bow and arrows were developed to suit chariot and cavalry warfare. Schools were set up in the regions of Yang and Xu for teaching shooting techniques. This marked the beginnings of ancient schools for Wuyi (Wushu). Dummy targets for practicing Shou Bo (bare-handed fighting) were incorporated into the education by Emperor Wu Yi during the 12th century B.C. Methods of fighting using principles such as Ba Gua (Eight Trigrams) were developed in the 11th century. These principles were derived from the I Ching (Book of Changes) that described the interaction of Gang (hard) and Rou (soft) and would later be used to define the basic boxing principles and techniques of Quan (Chan) boxing.

During the next several hundreds of years weapons and techniques were further refined. Steel was introduced. Sword practice became popular. Yue Nu, a sword playing specialist presented Emperor Gou Jian the ideas of integrating position, breathing, and consciousness, internal and external, offense and defense, and static and moving states, into a single art.

Wushu achieved greater prominence during the Qin (221-207 B.C) and the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- A.D. 220). Constant and fierce warfare necessitated the need for more powerful weapons and fighting methods. Broad swords for hacking and chopping against cavalry gradually replaced the straight sword. Long weapons were introduced. Wuyi was the general term used during this period to describe hand-to-hand fighting or fighting with weapons. Hua Tuo, a famous doctor in this era, created Wu Qin Xi with forms that imitated the postures of animals such as the tiger, deer, bear, monkey, and bird. Later, these influenced the development of other forms of Wushu Qigong and boxing.

As the country became unified under these Dynasties, more attention was paid toward health and entertainment and Wushu began appearing in dances and other forms of recreation and exercise. Dances such as the Broad-Sword Dance and Battle-Axe dance contained elements of attack and defense as well as general calisthenics. Temple fair activities often included Wushu performances. Wuyi specialists began attaching importance to unique skills such as jumping over houses and walls and running long distances.

The Emperor Xiao Wen built the famous Shaolin Temple in Song Shan Mountain for the Chan (Zen) monk Ba Tuo in 495 A.D. The young monks of the temple enjoyed the physical exercise of Wushu and used it for entertainment. Da Mo (Bodhidharma) came to China from India and brought Buddhism to the Shaolin Temple. As generations passed the monks of Shaolin Temple learned to combined Quan (boxing) and Chan into the Wushu school know as Shao Lin boxing. The monks of Shaolin first became famous the Tang Dynasty when they helped the Emperor Gao Zu overcome opponents. Thereafter, Wushu training became an important element in selecting military officers. The best of those trained in Wushu were given honorary titles and positions. This stimulated the practice of Wushu throughout the Chinese society.

Starting with the Song Dynasty gunpowder and firearms were introduced into military warfare. These were classified as "hot weapons" whereas Wushu weapons were classified as "cold weapons". Standardization of military uses of Wushu were incorporated into the armies. Practical applications of Wushu toward military warfare took priority over the restrictions of Folk Wushu. Two types of Wushu emerged: Shi Zhan Wuyi (Wushu practiced in war) and Hua fa Wuyi (Wushu for entertainment and show). Special societies that promoted specific Wushu practices sprung up during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). There are records of societies for archery, staff, and wrestling. Wushu practice became commonplace in the streets of villages and cities.

Gradually, wushu crystallized into various schools of armed and unarmed combat. Great Generals during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) incorporated Wushu into their military training. In the 17th century, Wang Lang, a student of Shaolin invented Mantis boxing after observing how the Mantis caught a cicada. He suddenly understood how to use short weapons to win over longer weapons.

Internal forms of Wushu (e.g. Taiji Quan, Bagua Quan, and Xingyi Quan) made their appearances. Internal forms stressed internal energy (i.e. the Qi) as the basic source of combative power. Chen Wangting, the created the Chen Style Taji Quan by combining the theory of Ying and Yang with Qi Jiguang's Quan Jing San Shi Er Si (32 Forms Boxing) together with Huang Ting Jing's Dao Yin (guiding method). He introduced the exercises of Tui Shou (push-hands) and Two-person sticking Qiang as a way to perfect Chen Style Taiji Quan. Yang Luochan, who learned Chen Style taiji Quan from Chen Changxing, removed the explosive power, jumps and other difficult moves from Chen Style in order to meet the demands of health maintenance and to expand the range of people who could learn Taiji Quan. He created Yang Style Taiji Quan with the characteristics of soft and flowing movements.

As firearm usage increased during the Qing Dynasty, the usage of cold weapons decreased. In 1901, the imperial court issued an edict removing Wushu from military use. Folk Wushu became the principle practice. During this time, Huo Yuanjia established the Jing Wu Physical Exercise School in Shanghai. The next year he changed the name to Jing Wu Physical Exercise Society with a simplified name of Jing Wu Hui (Excellent Wushu Association). This is considered the birth of modern Wushu.

After the Revolution of 1911, which overthrew the Qing Dynasty, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, greatly encouraged the practice of wushu as a way of exercise and strengthening the body. Many associations were founded to promote the practice of Wushu throughout China. In 1927, Zhang Zhijiang and Li Liejun proposed changing the name of Wushu to Guoshu (The Nation's Technique). This was done to promote Wushu as China's own unique cultural heritage. The Guoshu Research Institute was founded in Nanjing in June, 1928. In 1929 the National Government issued a proclamation ordering all government agencies to establish Guoshu Institutes and national and local tournaments became quite popular.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, in 1949, the sport of wushu has been maintained as part of China's cultural heritage. The government of China established special councils that created simplified forms of wushu routines and Taiji Quan to encourage beginners and everyday practice.

Wushu continues to spread throughout the world. In 1990 the International Wushu Federation was founded to promote world-wide Wushu competition and to standardize competition rules and forms. The international standardized name then became Wushu. It is hoped that if the Olympics are held in China in 2008, then Wushu will emerge as an Olympic sport.