The creation of Baguazhang, as a formalised martial art, is usually attributed to
Dong Haichuan (董海川) in the early 19th century, who apparently learned
from Taoist, and possibly Buddhist, masters in the mountains of rural China.
There is evidence to suggest a synthesis of several pre-existing martial arts
taught and practised in the region in which he lived, combined with Taoist circle
walking. Because of his work as a servant in the Imperial Palace, he impressed
the emperor with his graceful movements and his skill at martial arts and became
an instructor and a body guard to the court. Dong Haichuan taught for many
years in Beijing, eventually earning patronage by the Imperial court.

Famous disciples of Dong to become teachers were Fu Chen Sung (傅振嵩),
Yin Fu (尹福), Cheng Tinghua (程廷華), Song Changrong (宋長榮),
Liu Fengchun (劉鳳春), Ma Weiqi (馬維棋), Liang Zhenpu (梁振蒲) and
Liu Dekuan (刘德宽).