Sites of Worship

In modern China, the freedom of religious belief is a basic individual right. Many religions coexist in China, with Buddhism, Taoism (Daoism), Islam, and Christianity the most widespread. Each faith is respected equally, especially in the capital where each is represented and where each maintains its own sacred sites.

Buddhism

Buddhism is the dominant religion in China. It first arrived in AD 64, according to Chinese Buddhist scholars, during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). It has played a central role in Chinese culture and history. In China there are three main types of Buddhism: Han, Tibetan and Southern. Han and Tibetan Buddhism are significant subdivisions since they preserved important Sanskrit literary works that would otherwise have been lost in Southern Buddhism.

Yonghegong Lamasery (Lama Temple)

The Yonghegong Lamasery (Lama Temple) is probably the most prominent and colourful temple in Beijing. At one time it was the official residence of Count Yin Zhen, a Chinese emperor during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). When he became emperor in 1723, the temple colours were transformed from green (representing Buddhism) to Imperial yellow (a colour that could only be used by the emperors of China.). Now a working lamasery, it has three spectacular archways and five main halls, all featuring courtyards and galleries. Keep an eye out for the 18-metre high Buddha in Wanfu Pavilion, which was carved from a single piece of sandalwood.
12 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng District
+86 10 6404 4499
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 
25 yuan  
13, 18, 44, 62, 116, 406, 807; Subway: Yonghegong (Lama Temple) Station

White Dagoba Temple (Baitasi)
Miaoying Temple, also known as the White Dagoba Temple, got its name because there is a white dagoba in the temple. On its eastern and western walls, there are portraits of eight Buddha dharma protectors of Tibetan Buddhism. The white dagoba is 50.9 metres high, exquisite and spectacular. An exhibition of precious cultural relics is housed in the temple.
171, Fuchengmen Dajie, Xicheng District
+86 10 6616 0211
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
10 yuan
13, 101, 102, 103

Reclining Buddha Temple 
Located on the eastern side of the Fragrant Hills, this temple was built in the seventh century AD during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618?07). It was enlarged during the Yuan Dynasty (1271?368) to accommodate a huge bronze reclining Buddha, cast in 1320 using 25,000 kilograms of bronze. The 5.2-metre-long Reclining Buddha depicts Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. Surrounding it, 12 sculptures illustrate the mourning of Sakyamuni's 12 disciples.
Wofosi Lu, Fragrant Hills, Haidian District
+86 10 6259 1283
6 a.m.-7p.m.  
5 yuan
318, 333, 360, 714, 737, 904, Te* 5

The Temple of the Azure Clouds (Biyunsi)
The Temple of the Azure Clouds (Biyunsi) was first built during the Yuan Dynasty. The area around the temple features several places of historic interest and some spectacularly breathtaking scenery. Given that it is located near the northern end of Fragrant Hills Park, it's a nice place to take a break from the hectic pace of city life. Places of interest include Sun Yat-sen's Memorial Hall and a throne of Buddha's Warrior attendants. Outside the gate to the temple, there is a suspended stone bridge, under which there is a deep gully with tall locust trees and willows that grace both sides.
North of Fragrant Hills Park, Haidian District
+86 10 6259 1155, ext. 470   6 a.m.-6 p.m.
10 yuan     331, 737, 904

Jietai Temple
During any visit to China, you will encounter tour guides with tales of ancient trees in temple courtyards. One of the finest examples must be the Jiulong Pine Tree (or Nine-Dragon Pine) found inside Jietai Temple (Jietaisi), which is said to be more than 1,300 years old.
Built during the Tang Dynasty, the temple is a tree lover's delight with the main complex liberally dotted with ancient pines, many of which have their own quirky names.

South of Ma誥nshan, Mentougou District
+86 10 6980 6611   8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 
You* (tourist bus) 7 from Qianmen or 335 from Fuchengmen or take 931 from Pingguoyuan

Tanzhe Temple (Tanzhesi)
This hillside temple consists of pavilions, prayer halls, courtyards and a group of pagodas dating from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
Tanzhe Mountain, Mentougou District 
+86 10 6086 2500   8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 
35 yuan 
307, 326, 336 and get off at Hetan Station,
change to a long distance bus or 931 or minibus at Pingguoyuan

Yunju Temple (Yunjusi)
The Yunju (or Dwelling in the Clouds) Temple (Yunjusi) is an ancient complex built around limestone caves, south of the Shangfang Mountains. A shrine, two bone fragments found at the site were said to belong to Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. More than 77,000 engraved wooden blocks containing the Chinese Tripitaka or Buddhist scriptures draw large crowds to the site.
Dashiwo County, Fangshan District   +86 10 6138 9612
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 
You* (tourist bus) 10 from 7 a.m. at station 22 from Qianmen, 343 from Wanyuan Lu, 6 from Liuliqiao or 373 from Yuquan Lu or 917 at Tianqiao and get off at Fangshan, change to a minibus to Zhangfang.

Fahai Temple (Fahaisi)
Buddhist murals that date to the Ming Dynasty (1368?644) can be seen at Fahai (Law of the Sea) Temple (Fahaisi) on the western fringes of the city. In meticulous detail, the murals represent the meeting of Buddhist deities.
28 Moshikou, Shijingshan District
+86 10 8871 5776
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 
337 at Changchun Jie and get off at Shijingshan station or 311 at Pingguoyuan and get off at Moshikoucun.

Taoism (Daoism)
Taoism is the only religion that finds its origins within China itself. The religion derives from the doctrines of Laozi, a famous Chinese philosopher who is credited with thoughts about the "the way," or "virtue" that were elaborated in the Daodejing 1,800 years ago. The most common representation of Taoist theology is the circular yin-yang figure. It symbolizes the balance of opposites in existence: when equally present, all is calm; when one outweighs the other, confusion and chaos appear.

White Cloud Temple (Baiyun Guan)
Baiyun Guan is the largest Taoist centre in Beijing. The temple has a library of 5,485 Taoist classics and practitioners at the temple are well-versed in its philosophy. During the Spring Festival, the fair at Baiyun Guan is very popular.
Baiyun Lu, Fuxingmenwai Dajie, Xicheng District 
+86 10 6346 3531    8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 
10 yuan   19, 48, 114, 708, 727

East Mountain Temple (Dongyuemiao)
This is a charming temple and an active place of worship dedicated to Taoism, with "mountain" referring to China's famed Tai Shan. It has much to fascinate the visitor, with halls of devotion, seasonal market stalls and plentiful totems of good fortune.
141 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District  
+86 10 6551 0151, 6551 4148   10 yuan
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday)
110, 112, 109; Subway: Chaoyangmen Subway Station and
walk 600 metres to the east

Christianity
Christianity first came to China as early as the seventh century with travelling Nestorians. The Jesuits later found their way in the 1670s and the first protestant missionary arrived in 1807. Today, there are an estimated four million Catholics and ten million Protestants in China. As a consequence of the Opium War (1839-42), the Qing government was forced to accept terms that made Christianity legal in China. However, after the founding of People's Republic of China in 1949, Christianity gradually removed its foreign tag and became an acceptable and independent Chinese institution. Today it has a firm root in contemporary Chinese culture.

Church of Our Saviour
(Also known as Beitang and Xishiku Jiaotang)
Located west of Zhongnanhai, the North Church, or Xishiku Church is now the largest Catholic Church in Beijing. The style of the building is in typical Gothic style and it is famous for its grand architecture. It was established and opened in 1703 and was torn down in 1887 because of the expansion of Zhongnanhai. After its restoration in 1985, the church became the most dazzling and ornate church in Beijing.
33, Xishiku, Xicheng District
+86 10 6617 5198

Church of St. Joseph
(Also known as Dongtang and Wangfujing Tianzhutang)
The Eastern Church, located at famous Wangfujing Avenue in Beijing, was first established in 1655. Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty (1644?911) granted two foreign priests the right to use it as an apartment. They built a small church on the open ground. Later the church was ruined in earthquakes and wars several times. It was rebuilt in 1904. After its restoration in 1980, it was reopened.
74 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
+86 10 6524 0634

Chongwenmen Protestant Church
D2 Hougou Hutong, Chongwen District
(in the hutong opposite Hademen Hotel)
+86 10 6513 3549

Church of the Immaculate Conception
(also known as Nantang and Xuanwumentang)
141 Qianmenxi Dajie, Xuanwu District
+86 10 6603 7139

Zhushikou Protestant Church
129 Qianmen Nandajie, Chongwen District
(at the cross- road of Liangguang Dajie and Qianmen Dajie)
+86 10 6301 6678

Kuanjie Protestant Church
51 Di'anmendong Dajie, Dongcheng District
(at the crossroads of Di'anmendong Dajie and Kuanjie)
+86 10 6522 9984

Islam
Islam first arrived in China during the Tang and Song dynasties (618 BC-AD 1279) via trade links with Persia and Central Asia. From the Yuan Dynasty (1271?368) Islam became an independent religion in China, with many of its followers coming from ethnic groups in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. There are an estimated 100 million Muslims in China, divided in 10 different ethnic groups. In Beijing there are many thriving Muslim communities with more than 40 mosques located in the city.

Niu Jie Mosque
Niu Jie, or Ox Street Mosque, is the oldest mosque in Beijing and enjoys great reputation among Muslims of all persuasions and nationalities. It is a striking mosque and definitely worth a visit. According to legend, an ancient imam lives in the catacombs beneath the mosque and if non-believers should attempt to enter its prayer hall, he will suddenly appear and send the "heretic to Allah" by throwing small steel darts at the infidel!
88 Niu Jie, Xuanwu District  +86 10 6353 2564  
6, 10, 50, 53, 61, 109

Dongsi Mosque
Built in 1447 during the Ming Dynasty (1368?644), it combines Chinese and Arabic styles such as the Niujie Mosque. The mosque's library houses valuable manuscripts of the Koran, the Hadith, the Sunna (Islamic law), and other works of Islamic philosophy, history and literature published in Egypt, India, Turkey and Pakistan. Three services are held at dawn, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily. The site is also the headquarters of the Beijing branch of the China Islamism Association.
13 Dongsi Nandajie, Dongcheng District
+86 10 6525 7824   106, 108, 110, 116