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.