Yang Cheng-Fu (1883-1936) was the grandson to Yang Lu Chan the founder of the Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan. It was Cheng-Fu who finalized this style into the present-day form that is so popular all over the world. Learning Tai Chi Chuan from his father since early childhood, Yang Cheng-Fu showed great talent and learned very quickly, especially the "middle frame" of Yang style passed on by his grandfather to his father and uncle Yang Ban Hou, both of whom had taught martial arts in the Prince of Duan's mansion and enjoyed a great reputation in Beijing.

As an adult, Yang Cheng-Fu was invited by the Beijing Sports Society to teach martial arts in the city and afterward he traveled to Wuhan, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hangzhou to teach the Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan. Because of his modesty, gentleness and eagerness for perfection - which he seemed to have inherited from his grandfather, Yang Cheng-Fu was loved by all his disciples, who were scattered all over the country.

During his stay in Wuhan, he accepted a challenge by a local kung fu master versed in swordsmanship. Wielding a mere makeshift sword of bamboo; Yang easily defeated his well-armed opponent and apologized profusely for having hurt his wrist unintentionally during the fight.

Before Yang Cheng Fu returned to Shanghai from Canton, he instructed his senior student Dong Ying Jie and his first son Yang Shou Zhong to stay in Canton to continue teach his Tai Chi Chuan in the southern China.

Grandmaster Doc-Fai Wong's teacher Hu Yuen Chou was also an outstanding student of Yang Cheng-Fu. When Yang Cheng-Fu was ill in the hospital, Hu was a resident doctor there. Hu was able to visit his teacher Yang Cheng-Fu and stay with him for long periods in the hospital. Hu Yuen Chou had the opportunity to receive private instruction from Yang Cheng-Fu for more then six months in the hospital room. Before Yang Cheng-Fu went back to Shanghai, he told Hu Yuen Chou to continue working out with his first son Yang Shou-Zhong and his senior student Dong Ying Jie. This enabled Hu Yuen Chou, Yang Shou Zhong and Dong Ying Jie to become very close friends and they all became major Yang style masters in Canton and Hong Kong.