• Responsible Travel In A Temple Or Mosque

• 

  Many visitors to China will take a look at local places of worship even if they are not so interested in the religious side of life normally.

  You are encouraged to discover this aspect of Chinese Culture for yourself. It would be hard to truly understand China without at least some idea of the religious practices past and present.

  Of course, visiting a temple doesn't necessarily mean that you will understand the history or practices. Hopefully your guide or guidebook will give you some of that information. Those who have signed up for our series of email articles will receive our Overview Of Religions in China. What the visit will do is put those comments into context.

  Whilst visiting places of worship it is necessary to follow some basic rules. Most rules are displayed prominently but just so that you can be prepared here are the main ones that apply generally:

  • You should be dressed appropriately. In a mosque this is usually taken to mean covering at least the knees and elbows; you may also be required to take off shoes in certain areas. The dress code in temples varies in line with the current usage. Some temples are almost exclusively the domain of tourists and pretty much anything goes; not so in ones where there are practising monks.
  • Photography is permitted in most areas but there are usually signs up where it is not. Most often this will be in front of religious images such as a statue of a Buddha.
  • Many temples are functioning. You are requested to keep respectfully quiet (but not silent) at all times and not to intrude upon ceremonies.
  • Some areas may be marked for 'Staff Only' or 'Out of bounds to visitors'. You should abide by these even if your curiosity or photographic creativity calls out for an exception.

  You are normally charged an entrance fee to visit a temple or mosque in China. You may also make a voluntary donation if you wish. This should go into one of the boxes marked for that purpose.

  Go (back) to the main Responsible Travel page.

  You may want to go straight on to:

  • Responsible shopping
  • Responsible photography
  
  
  
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• Current Comments

  2 comments so far (post your own)

  Hi Natasha
  
  There are temples in many locations that would suit as there is something of a resurgence of spiritual interest across the country. In order to recommend one it would be better to know your route. Perhaps email us for a specific recommendation. One of our favourites sits atop the island just beyond the Dafo (Big Buddha) in Leshan. Few visitors bother to walk up to it and yet it offers great views as well as a complete change of pace from the main attraction below.

  Posted by China Journeys on Mon 26 Mar, 2012

  Hi
  
  I would really like to visit a temple or monastery which is authentic and not touristy. Could you recommend one in particular

  Posted by Natasha on Mon 26 Mar, 2012

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