Taoism
Taoism probably took shape as a religion during the second
century, based on the philosophy of Lao Zi (traditionally said to be born in 604
B.C.) and his works, the Dao De Jing (Classic of the Way and Virtue). China now
has more than 1,500 Taoist temples.
Buddhism
Buddhism was introduced to China from India approximately in the
first century A.D., becoming increasingly popular and the most influential
religion in China after the fourth century. Tibetan Buddhism, as a branch of
Chinese Buddhism, is popular primarily in Tibet and Inner Mongolia. Now China
has more than 13,000 Buddhist temples.
Islam
Islam probably first reached China in the mid-seventh century. The
Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) witnessed the zenith of prosperity of Islam. Now China
has more than 30,000 mosques.
Christianity
Christianity reached China several times after the seventh
century, and was introduced to the country on a large scale after the Opium War
of 1840. Now there are more than 4,600 Catholic churches and over 12,000
Protestant churches, as well as over 25,000 other types of Christian places of
worship in China.
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