Beijing - Post Report Question and Answers
What English-language religious services are available locally?
This is a difficult question. Expats are free to organize religious services so long as they avoid proselytizing, a PRC legal concept that, in practice, prohibits expats from openly advertising religious services to the public or including any locals in a religious gathering. In other words, although expats can legally gather for church and other religious practices, these gatherings trend more toward house churches than stadium revivals. - Nov 2024
I know that places of worship for a variety of faiths exist, but we are not religious so I couldn't say for sure. I heard that those who keep kosher have access to a kosher butcher through the nearby synagogue. - Nov 2021
Yes, but limited. - May 2020
I have heard people who go to church have places to go. - Oct 2017
There are some. They check your passport as you walk in to ensure you're a foreigner. - Dec 2015
christian, catholic, jewish - Apr 2015
The church I sometimes go to has one English session on Sunday at 3:30 pm. However, it's more like a service and less like a mass. - Aug 2014
I believe there is a synagogue, as well as Catholic and non-denominational Christian services. I'm sure there are more options downtown as well. - Jul 2014
Yes. - Jun 2013
They exist, as some friends attended a Christian church, but I don't know any more than that. - Aug 2011
Yes, Christian, but they are only open to foreign ID holders - Apr 2011
Yes, just about anything you can think of is available here. However, I've been told Chinese people are not allowed to attend religious services with foreigners and you have to bring your passport to church. I am not religious myself so you're advised to double-check this locally. - Jan 2011
It depends. The government shut down the Catholic church for quite some time during our stay. Worship is restricted in some areas, and we're not typically allowed to worship with the locals. We have to present foreign passports when we go to church. - Apr 2010
I understand there are some American churches here. - Jan 2010
