Today China has respect for the freedom of religious belief and allows the independent running of religious affairs. Religion is as important in China as it is anywhere and is permitted as an individual right. Many religions coexist in relative harmony here, and the Chinese believe in Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Christianity. Each is respected as independent but equal.

As the capital of a country with many faiths, Beijing has a great variety of sacred sites, reflecting the five religious traditions that can be found across the country.

Buddhism

Buddhism is the dominant religious philosophy in China and first arrived during the Han Dynasty and played a central role in Chinese culture and history. Generally speaking, Buddhism in China can be categorized into Han, Tibetan and Southern Buddhism. Han and Tibetan Buddhism are significant subdivisions since they both preserved important Sanskrit literature that would otherwise have been lost in Southern Buddhism.

Yong He Gong (or Lama Temple) - is probably the most prominent and colourful 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 was transformed as all green tiles were replaced with imperial yellow. Now a working lamasery, it has three spectacular archways and five main halls, each larger than the last and all boasting courtyards and galleries. Keep an eye out for the 18-meter high Buddha in Wanfu Pavilion.

The Yunju (or Cloud Dwelling) Temple - is situated in a limestone cave, south of the Shangfang Mountains, grew up around 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.

Fahai Temple - Buddhist murals that date to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) can be seen at Fahai (Sea of the Law) Temple on the western fringes of the city. In meticulous detail, the murals represent the meeting of Buddhist deities.

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 and said to be over 1,300 years old.

Sleeping Buddha Temple - Located on the eastern side of the Fragrant Hills, the temple was built in the 7th Century during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 BC). It was enlarged in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to accommodate a huge bronze reclining Buddha, cast in 1320 using 25,000 kg of bronze. The 5.2-meter-long Sleeping Buddha is said to depict Sakyamuni, a founder of Buddhism. Surrounding it, 12 sculptures illustrate the mourning of Sakyamuni's 12 disciples.

Tanzhe Temple - The temple is built on a hillside and consists of various pavilions, prayer halls, courtyards and a group of pagodas dating from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

Fayuan Temple - Literally, the temple's name means 'Origin of Buddhism' and indicates the importance of this place. First built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 BC), the temple is now the headquarters of the China Buddhism Association and China Buddhism College.

Taoism

Taoism is the only religion that actually originated in China. A religious/philosophical tradition, like Buddhism, it has, with Confucianism, shaped Chinese life for more than 2,000 years. The religion derives from the doctrines of Laozi, a famous philosopher. Taoism is a "way of life" that gives philosophical and religious guidance to the Chinese people. At one time, it was used as an instrument of rule, but today it is simply a spiritual philosophy.

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.

Baiyunguan (White Cloud Taoist Temple) - Baiyunguan is the largest Taoist center in Beijing. The temple has a library of 5, 485 Taoist classics and many Taoists in the temple are well versed in its philosophy. During the Spring Festival, the fair at Baiyunguan is very popular.

Confucius

Confucius Temple - Confucius (551-479 BC), who also bore the name Qiu and Zhongni, is acknowledged as ancient China's greatest thinker and philosopher. Confucianism remains an important characteristic of traditional Chinese culture today. Located at the junction of Ancient Culture Street and Imperial College Street, the 700-year-old, 22,000 sq m temple was a sacrificial site for emperors of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

Visitors can view the temples relics from the compound's grand buildings. Among them is the Jinshi Inscription Stele, and artefacts relating to the Chinese Imperial Examination System, and what is known as the "13 Scriptures Stele Forest".

Christianity

Christianity arrived in China as early as the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and usually meant Protestantism with Catholicism being considered a different religion rather than a different tradition. In history, the Chinese did not welcome Christianity at first. As a consequence of the Opium War (1839-42), the Qing government was forced to accept terms that made Christianity legal in China. 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. Major churches in Beijing include:

* Chongwenmen Protestant Church
* Church of the Immaculate Conception (also known as Nantang and Xuanwumentang)
* Zhushikou Protestant Church
* Kuanjie Protestant Church
* Church of St. Joseph (also known as Dongtang and Wangfujingtang)
* Church of Our Savior (also known as Beitang and Xishikutang)

Islam

Islam arrived in China during the Tang and Song dynasties (618 BC- AD 1279) through trade links. From the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Islam became an independent religion in China, and many of its followers came from ethnic groups in Xinjiang Province. There are now more than 100 million Chinese Muslims, many living in the deserts of Xiangchan and the more fertile regions of mid and Eastern China. There are more than 40 mosques in Beijing that are open to the public.

Niujie Mosque (Ox Street Mosque) - is the oldest mosque in Beijing and enjoys a great reputation among Muslims of all persuasions and nationalities. This 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 pop up and send the "heretic to Allah" by perforating them with small steel balls!

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