He started his formal training with his father, Grand Master Dong Zeng Chen at the age of five in Hebei Province, the heart of martial arts in China. In 1983, at the age of twelve, he moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where he continued his training with his father and also studied with his grandfather, Grand Master Dong Hu Ling who had a major influence on his learning. In 1991, Alex Dong was awarded the US National Tai Chi Chuan championship in moving push hands and the Best Martial Spirit Title for all competitors while representing the state of Hawaii.