Guidelines for Visiting Religious Sites in China

Temples, Taoist monasteries, and mosques in China carry profound historical culture and beliefs. To respect local traditions and ensure a pleasant touring experience, please follow the rules below:

1. Dress Code

1. Basic Guidelines: Dignified and Appropriate
2. Avoid revealing clothing: sleeveless tops, spaghetti straps, shorts, and short skirts are prohibited (it’s recommended that pants/skirts cover the knees).
3. Recommend neutral-colored clothing: avoid overly bright or exaggerated patterns.

4. Shoes requirement: some places require shoes to be removed before entry (such as Tibetan Buddhist temples), so it’s advisable to wear easy-to-remove flat shoes.

5. Special Venue Notes

6. Buddhist/Taoist Venues: Women should avoid low-cut tops, men should not wear hats; remove sunglasses before entering the main hall.
7. Mosques: Women are required to wear headscarves covering their hair (some mosques offer loaner scarves).
8. Tibetan Buddhist Temples: Walk clockwise around stupas or prayer wheels, avoid stepping on thresholds.

2. Photography Rules

1. No-Photography Zones
2. Inside main halls, directly in front of statues of deities/Buddhas, and monk meditation areas are typically no-photography zones.

3. Some venues explicitly mark "No Photography" (such as the Wofu Pavilion at Beijing's Yonghe Temple).

4. Photography Allowed with Precautions

5. Turn off flash: strong light may damage murals and artifacts.
6. No selfie sticks: some venues restrict their use for safety reasons.

7. Respect ceremonies: refrain from taking photos during religious rituals such as prayers or sermons.

8. Cautions When Photographing People

9. Do not photograph monks or believers without permission (especially close-up shots).
10. Avoid posing disrespectfully with statues of Buddhas (such as turning your back to them while making gestures).

3. Behavioral Norms and Taboos

1. Worship Etiquette
2. Incense offering standards: hold incense with your left hand (in Buddhism, the left hand is considered pure), light it without blowing it out, just shake it gently.

3. Kneeling method: in Buddhism, kneel after clasping hands together; in Taoism, perform three bows followed by a bow.

4. Prohibited Actions

5. Do not touch statues of Buddhas, scriptures, ritual objects, or other sacred items.
6. Do not point directly at statues of deities or monks with your fingers.

7. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and bringing non-vegetarian food into vegetarian areas are forbidden.

8. Language and Mannerisms

9. Keep conversations quiet, avoid loud laughter or horseplay.
10. Walk clockwise around stupas/prayer wheels.
11. Do not step over prayer mats or cushions used for worship.

4. Other Practical Tips

1. Pre-Trip Preparation
2. Check opening hours: some venues close for lunch (e.g., Hangzhou's Lingyin Temple 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM).

3. Carry small change: cash is preferred for voluntary donations (merit boxes generally do not give change).

4. Special Group Reminders

5. Children must be supervised at all times to prevent running or touching artifacts.

6. Accessibility: most famous temples have wheelchair ramps (e.g., Shanghai's Jade Buddha Temple).

7. Emergency Contacts

8. Scenic area management phone numbers are usually posted at entrances; it’s recommended to save them beforehand.

5. Handling Controversial Situations

• Scenario 1: Accidentally entering a monk’s living quarters → immediately apologize and quietly exit.
• Scenario 2: Being asked to delete photos → cooperate and express apologies.