Religion.

Though the Chinese government is officially atheist, and requires all party members to renounce organized religion, don’t expect your faith to be a big deal in Beijing – unless you found a radical sect, or are actively engaged in public proselytizing.

China’s history as a religiously plural country has given its residents a laid-back attitude about religion.  Anything goes, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the rest of the community.  Most Chinese people would be bewildered at the fractious religious disagreements found throughout much of the world, as they are virtually unknown here.

Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and others all practice their faith in Beijing.  Note that some foreign-run churches require a foreign passport for entry, and organized missionary work is forbidden by law – though that doesn’t seem to stop some denominations, who slip in missionaries under the guise of teaching English.

Faiths.

"Every Chinese person," says an old proverb, "is a Confucian when things are going well, a Daoist when things are going badly, and a Buddhist just before they die." This saying might even be a little conservative, as it fails to include the...

Churches.

For 50 years, the number of official churches in Beijing held steady at eight, with the four Catholic churches at the cardinal points of the city serving as the foundation of Christian heritage in the city. In 2004, the government authorized...

Services.

Churches and temples and mosques, oh my! With its eclectic array of faiths, Beijing is sure to have the right religious service for residents of any religious background. Of course, you should expect religious services in Beijing to have...

Advertising