In the 1930s, in Foshan, the capital of Chinese martial arts, the martial arts culture was at its peak. In order to enroll more disciples, various sects often competed with each other to show off their strength.
Yip Man (played by Donnie Yen) was proficient in martial arts but remained humble and did not set up a school to teach. Instead, he stayed at home, discussing and studying martial arts with his friends behind closed doors.
A group of northern martial artists led by Jinshanzhao (played by Shaun Tan), in order to make a name for themselves in Foshan, severely defeated the masters of various sects. Determined to gain the recognition of the people of Foshan, Jinshanzhao decided to challenge Yip Man, who kept himself out of these affairs, and went all out to force Yip Man to fight. Encouraged by his wife Cheung Wing-ching (played by Diana Lam), Yip Man readily accepted the challenge and soundly defeated Jinshanzhao with his skilled Wing Chun Kung Fu. After this battle, Foshan was swept by a fervent Wing Chun fever.