Precautions for Visiting Chinese Temples/Religious Sites

In China, temples and religious sites are not only centers of faith but also important cultural heritages. Respecting local religious customs and cultural traditions is a basic courtesy for tourists. Below are detailed precautions:

1. Dress Code Requirements

1. Conservative and Appropriate
2. Avoid wearing revealing or overly tight clothing (such as shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops, low-cut outfits).
3. Suggestions for Women: Wear long pants or skirts that go below the knee, and tops that cover the shoulders (a shawl can be carried as a backup).
4. Suggestions for Men: Avoid being shirtless or wearing only tank tops.

5. Some Tibetan Buddhist temples (like Lhasa's Jokhang Temple) may have stricter requirements, needing complete coverage of the shoulders and knees.

6. Color Selection

7. Avoid overly bright or flashy clothing; it’s better to choose neutral colors (such as white, gray, dark blue).
8. In Taoist venues, red might be considered auspicious, but there are usually no special requirements in Buddhist places.

2. Photography Rules

1. No-Photography Zones
2. Most temples prohibit taking photos inside the main Buddha halls, statues, scripture halls (especially facing Buddha statues directly).

3. Some places will clearly mark "No Photography" or "No Flash," so please strictly adhere to these rules.

4. Special Permissions

5. If you want to photograph monks or believers during their religious activities, you must get their prior consent.

6. Some temples (such as Shaolin Temple) may allow paid photography in certain areas, which needs to be confirmed with staff members.

7. Drone Restrictions

8. Do not use drones without permission, as religious sites and their surroundings are often no-fly zones.

3. Behavioral Norms

1. Maintain Silence
2. Lower your voice and avoid loud talking or laughing around.

3. Put your phone on silent mode, and if you need to take a call, step outside.

4. Worship Etiquette

5. When entering the main hall, follow the rule of "entering through the left door and exiting through the right," avoiding stepping on the threshold.
6. When burning incense, hold it with your left hand (the left hand is considered the "pure hand"), and do not blow it out with your mouth—instead, gently shake it to extinguish.

7. Avoid pointing at Buddha statues with your fingers; instead, gesture with your palm facing up.

8. Item Taboos

9. Do not touch Buddha statues, scriptures, ritual objects, or other religious items.
10. Avoid sitting cross-legged or pointing your feet toward Buddha statues.

4. Religious Customs and Taboos

1. Walking Directions
2. Buddhist temples: Walk clockwise around stupas or prayer wheels (in Tibetan Buddhism).

3. Taoist temples: There is no fixed direction, but follow the signs provided.

4. Offerings and Donations

5. You can make small donations as per your convenience, but do not place food offerings (to prevent attracting pests).

6. In Tibetan Buddhist temples, "merit boxes" are usually small wooden boxes where coins should not be inserted (they may cause damage).

7. Special Times

8. On the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month or during religious festivals (such as Buddha's Birthday), the visitor flow is high, so consider visiting off-peak times.
9. During Dharma assemblies, non-believers should avoid entering core areas.

5. Other Practical Tips

1. Safety and Environmental Protection
2. Do not bring flammable items (such as lighters) into the halls.

3. Dispose of garbage in designated areas to protect the environment of religious sites.

4. Tickets and Opening Hours

5. Some temples require tickets for entry (such as Beijing's Yonghe Palace, Luoyang's White Horse Temple), and reservations can be made through official public accounts in advance.

6. Opening hours are generally 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and some may close earlier in winter.

7. Shopping and Consumption

8. Be cautious when purchasing expensive "blessed" items, choosing only from legitimate sources.
9. The food served within temples is usually vegetarian, with transparent pricing, so feel free to try it (such as the vegetarian meals at Shaolin Temple).

6. Examples of Special Religious Sites

1. Tibetan Buddhist Temples (such as Lhasa's Jokhang Temple)
2. Remove hats and sunglasses, and do not wear hats while entering the halls.

3. Prayer wheels must be turned clockwise, never counterclockwise.

4. Taoist Palaces (such as Wudang Mountain's Zixiao Palace)

5. Perform the "hand-clasping salute" (left hand covering the right) during worship.
6. Do not photograph Taoists practicing martial arts or conducting rituals.

Summary Checklist

• ✅ Dress conservatively, covering shoulders and knees.
• ✅ Follow photography restrictions and respect others' privacy.
• ✅ Maintain quietness and adhere to worship etiquette.
• ✅ Check opening hours and ticket policies in advance.