Shaolin Quan has spread widely across China. According to a rough estimate, there are more than 300 Shaolin Quan routines practised in China today. Well-known among these are Dahong Quan (Great Hong Boxing), Xiaohong Quan (Hong-clan Boxing), Luohan Quan (Arhat Boxing), Chaoyang Quan (Turn-to-the-Sun Boxing), Qinglong Chuhai Quan (Dragon-Raising-from-the-Sea Boxing), Babu Lianhuan Quan (Eight Step Interlocking Boxing), Jingang Quan (Buddha's Warrior Attendant's Boxing), Lianbu Quan (Chain-Step Boxing), Qixing Quan (Seven-Star Boxing), Meihua Quan (Plum-Blossom Boxing), and Pao Quan (Cannon Boxing).

Seven Star Boxing belongs to Small Frame styles of Shaolin Monastery; its rhymed formula says "walk like a chicken, keep your head like a monkey, move like a dragon, use opponent's power..." This form is an essential form in the Shaolin Fist series. It imitates the places of Big Dipper in the northern pole sky, embodying the integration of the human being and the heavens. While performing, the practitioner should often change his directions in accordance with Big Dipper. His will directs his movements, and he punches softly or hard as needed, using very little force to counter the enemy's hard attacks.

少林七星拳原系少林七星门的看家拳，也是少林武术的基础之一，与长护心意门同属小架拳类，素有子母拳之称，七星拳短小精悍，灵活多变，且有拳打卧牛之地的特点。

拳路中的手法和步法，模仿北斗七星的方位，是天与人和的默契配合，如身在天宇盖世大千，连续动作，变化方位，斗转星移以心意引导，贯穿全身百节、亦刚亦柔、遇柔则刚、遇刚以柔克之，以智慧避刚，待机刚烈猛进，取胜于妙用之中。