China is a country with many religious beliefs. There are hundred million religious followers of Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism in China. Ethnic groups have their own religious preferences. The Hui, Uygur, kazak, Kirgiz, Tatar, Ozbek, Tajik, Dongxiang, Salar, and Bonan followi Islam; Tibetans, Mongolians, Lhobas, Moinbas, Tus and Yugurs are Lamaists. Dai, Blang, and Deang people believe in the Hinayana ( Lesser Vehicle) Buddhism. A considerable number of the Miao, Yao and Yi people believe in Catholicism and Protestantism., Catholicism, or Taoism.

Buddhism found its way into China in the first century B.C. and spread widely after the fourth century a. D., becoming the most infuluential religion in China. A branch of Chinese Buddhism, Lamaism, also called Tibetan Buddhism, is widespread in Tibet and Inner Mongolia. China’s famous Buddhist temples include Baima Temple in Luoyang, Daci’en Temples in Xi’an, Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, and Shaolin Temple in Henan. Famous lamaseries include Jokhang Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery and Sakya Monastery in Tibet, Kunmbum Monastery in Qinghai, Wuta Lamasery in Inner Mongolia, and Yonghe Lamasery in Beijing.

Islam was introduced to China in the middle period of the seventh century. China’s famous mosques include Libai Mosque in yangzhou, Huajue Mosque in Xi’an, Niujie Mosque in Beijing, Dongda Mosque in Yinchuan, and the Aitagar at Kashi in Xinjiang.

The introduction of Catholicism and Protestantism to China followed Buddhism and Islam, with less influence. The followers of Catholicism and Protestantism mainly concentrate in large cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Some farmers also believe in Catholicism or Protestantism.

Taking form in the second century A. D., Taoism is indigenous to china. The most famous Taoist temples and monasteries are beiyun Monasteryb in Beijing, Qingyang Monastery in Chengdu and Taiqing Monastery in Shenyang.

In China, citizens enjoy freedom of religious belief, and all normal religious activities are protected by the Constitution.

The Buddhist, Islamic, Catholic, Protestant and Taoist organizations have been established at national and local levels, independently dealing with their own religious affairs. The religious groups and affairs in China are not subject to the direction of foreign powers.