How to Visit Chinese Buddhist Temples Respectfully
China has approximately 13,000 Buddhist temples — from the vast complexes of famous mountains to small neighbourhood temples serving local communities. The majority are active religious sites where monks, nuns, and lay worshippers conduct regular religious practice. Even the most tourist-heavy temples (Lingyin in Hangzhou, Yonghe Gong in Beijing) have genuine religious activity happening alongside the tourism.
Visiting well means understanding the religious context and following basic etiquette — not only out of respect for practitioners but because it significantly enriches the experience.
Before Entering
Clothing: No specific dress code is required at most Chinese Buddhist temples, but very revealing clothing (shorts, exposed shoulders) is disrespectful and may draw comments from staff at stricter sites. A light scarf or outer layer to cover up costs nothing.
Shoes: Shoes are NOT removed at Chinese Buddhist temples (unlike Taoist and Shinto sites). You keep your shoes on.
Photographs: Photography of the exterior architecture and grounds is universally permitted. Photography of worshippers in active prayer requires discretion or explicit permission. Photography inside temple halls: check for posted signs; many temples permit photography of the architecture and statues but not during active rituals.
The Temple Layout
Chinese Buddhist temples follow a standard north-south axial layout:
Mountain Gate (山门, shān mén): The main entrance, with the Four Heavenly Kings (四大天王) — fierce guardian deities on either side — protecting the temple. Passing through this gate signals entry into sacred space.
Bell Tower (钟楼) and Drum Tower (鼓楼): The towers flanking the first courtyard; traditionally used to mark time and signal occasions.
Hall of the Heavenly Kings (天王殿): The first main hall; contains the four Heavenly Kings flanking a large statue of Maitreya (弥勒佛) — the laughing, round-bellied figure who is the “Future Buddha.” Behind Maitreya stands Weituo (韦陀), the protective warrior deity of Buddhist temples.
Grand Hall of the Great Sage (大雄宝殿, Dàxióng Bǎodiàn): The main hall; the most important building in the complex. Contains the primary Buddha image — usually Shakyamuni (释迦牟尼) flanked by Ananda and Kasyapa; often Eighteen Arhats (十八罗汉) line the side walls. This is where major religious ceremonies occur.
Bodhisattva Hall(s): Side halls dedicated to specific bodhisattvas — Guanyin (观音), Wenshu (文殊), Puxian (普贤). Guanyin halls are the most universally visited by lay worshippers.
Dharma Hall (法堂): Where monks gather for lectures and teaching; usually closed to general visitors.
Incense Burning Etiquette
Incense (香, xiāng): Burning incense is the primary act of devotion for lay Buddhist worshippers. Incense sticks are sold at temple gates (¥5–20 per bundle); the smoke carries prayers upward to the deities.
If you choose to participate:
- Light the incense (usually done by dipping in an open flame)
- Hold the bundle with both hands at chest height
- Face the main hall or the specific deity you’re offering to
- Bow three times
- Place the incense in the incense burner; do not break it in pieces — place it intact
If you observe worshippers: Stand aside respectfully; don’t walk between a worshipper and the altar during the prayer.
If you’re not participating: You are welcome to observe without burning incense.
Interacting with Monks and Nuns
Greetings: Monks and nuns are appropriately greeted with 阿弥陀佛 (Āmítuófó, Amitabha) — the name of Amitabha Buddha used as a general Buddhist greeting. A slight bow accompanies the greeting.
Physical contact: Do not shake hands with a monk or nun; they observe rules against contact with people of the opposite gender. A slight bow with hands pressed together is appropriate.
Questions: Monks at active temples are usually busy with religious duties; approaching them to ask spiritual questions is sometimes welcomed and sometimes intrusive. If there is a designated visitor reception area or monk available for questions, that is the appropriate channel.
Photography of monks: Ask before photographing; many will agree; some will decline.
Active Religious Sites vs. Tourist Attractions
Primarily active temples: Yonghe Gong (Lama Temple, Beijing), Lingyin Si (Hangzhou), Nanshan Temple (Sanya), Emeishan temples, Wutai Mountain temples. These have regular religious ceremonies (often at 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM daily) that visitors may observe from the side.
Primarily tourist sites: Some temples near tourist areas have essentially become admission-charging historical sites with limited active religious activity. These are still interesting architecturally but the religious etiquette is less significant.
Recognition: Active temples will have incense burning constantly, monks in robes visible during ceremony hours, and often a vegetarian restaurant for residents and lay supporters.
The Vegetarian Canteen
Many Buddhist temples maintain a vegetarian canteen (素斋, sùzhāi) serving meals to monks, nuns, and lay visitors. Temple food is typically simple, nutritious, and inexpensive (¥15–¥30 for a full meal); it is sometimes excellent. This is one of China’s underappreciated culinary traditions. Look for the canteen sign near temple kitchens; it may be labelled 素食 (vegetarian food) or simply marked on the ground.
Chinese Buddhist temples are simultaneously historical monuments, active religious communities, and public parks. They repay slow, attentive visits — arriving before the tourist crowds at 7:00 AM, when the incense is first lit and the chanting begins, reveals something the midday tour groups entirely miss.