Places of worship in China

Significant Places of Worship

This collection highlights significant religious architecture across Greater China, focusing on the historical Taoist temples of Taiwan and the venerable Buddhist monasteries of Tibet. The list features major spiritual hubs like Lhasa's Jokhang Monastery, the heart of Tibetan Buddhism, alongside elaborate Southern Min-style temples in Tainan dedicated to Mazu and the City God. These sites are characterized by their intricate wood carvings, unique historical murals, and roles as centers for local community traditions and ancient monastic lineages.

Significant Places of Worship — Map

edwin.11 / CC BY 2.0

A

Che Kung Temple

The temple is dedicated to Che Kung, a military commander of the Southern Song dynasty who supposedly rescued the last emperor of the…

Winertai / CC-BY-SA-3.0

B

The Grand Matsu Temple

The Grand Matsu Temple, also known as the Datianhou or Great Queen of Heaven Temple, is a temple to the Chinese Goddess Mazu, who is the…

Fcuk1203 / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Jenn Lann Temple

The Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, also known as the Zhenlan or Mazu Temple, is a temple dedicated to the Chinese Goddess Mazu, the Goddess of Sea…

Sarat Chandra Das / Public domain

D

Jokhang Monastery

The Jokhang, or the Ra sa 'phrul snang gtsug lag khang, or Qoikang Monastery, or Zuglagkang, is considered the "heart of Lhasa".

John Hill / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Tashilhunpo Monastery

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is an historically and culturally important monastery in Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet.

Pbdragonwang / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Confucius Temple

The Tainan Confucian Temple or Quan Tai Shou Xue, is a Confucian temple on Nanmen Road in West Central District, Tainan, Taiwan.

Reurinkjan / CC BY 2.0

G

Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is one of the "great three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet, located 1.25 miles north of Lhasa and about 5 km north of…

寺人孟子 / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

Three Gorges (Sanxia) Shimizu Ancestral Temple

Changfu Temple is a Taoist temple along Sanxia Old Street in Sanxia District, New Taipei, Taiwan.

Benjiho / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Zushi Temple

Changfu Temple is a Taoist temple along Sanxia Old Street in Sanxia District, New Taipei, Taiwan.

Pbdragonwang / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Tianhou Temple

The Tianhou Temple, also known as the Kaitai Tianhou or Mazu Temple, is a temple to the Chinese Goddess Mazu, who is the Goddess of Sea and…

Antoine Taveneaux / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Nechung Monastery

Nechung Monastery, Nechung Gompa or Nechung Chok, is the seat of the State Oracle of Tibet.

Antoine Taveneaux / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Reting Monastery

Reting Monastery is an historically important Buddhist monastery in Lhünzhub County in Lhasa, Ü-Tsang, Tibet.

Pbdragonwang / CC BY-SA 4.0

M

An ping da zhong miao

One of the four major public temples in Anping, Tainan, dedicated to the deity Kui Fu Qian Sui. While the current structure was rebuilt in 1988, a single wall remains from the original Qing Dynasty temple.

Pbdragonwang / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Quan tai shou yi xian cheng huang miao

Established during the Kangxi era as the official City God Temple for Taiwan County. Located in Tainan's North District, the current architecture dates to a 1980 reconstruction.

Pbdragonwang / CC BY-SA 4.0

O

An ping ling ji dian

A Taoist corner temple located in the Gangziwei Community of Anping, Tainan.

Pbdragonwang / CC BY-SA 4.0

P

Da jia ci ji gong

The oldest temple in the Dajia area of Rende District, Tainan. Dedicated to Baosheng Dadi, it features unique murals by Chen Qiushan that depict figures from the Republican era alongside traditional themes.

施冠鴻 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Q

Si an jing shen xing gong

A Tainan temple formed by the historical merger of three local shrines: Shen'an Temple, Baoxing Palace, and Gaolin Palace.

Team_A / CC BY-SA 2.5

R

Densatil Monastery

Founded in the late 12th century, this was the inaugural monastery of the Phagdru Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Esiymbro / CC BY-SA 4.0

S

Changzhug

Tradruk Temple in the Yarlung Valley is the earliest great geomantic temple after the Jokhang and some sources say it predates that temple.

anonymous / Public domain

T

Surmang Namgyel Tse Monastery

Surmang refers to a vast alpine nomadic and farming region, historically a duchy under the King of Nangchen, with vast land holdings…

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