Buddhism spread into China during the Han dynasty, and played an important role in Chinese history and culture.

Taoism was founded in China during the Han dynasty. The Chinese philosopher, Lu Xun once said: "China roots deeply in Taoism. If one wants to comprehend Chinese history and culture, one must comprehend Taoism first."

Islam arose in China's coastal cities in the Tang dynasty (618 - 907 AD) and gradually spread to many other areas. Arab traders who landed on the southern coast of China established their mosques in great maritime cities like Guangzhou and Quanzhou. Islam is also an important religion in China, since the religion of Allah converted many minority groups like Uygur, Hui and Kazak, etc.

Catholicism was widely embraced in China in the year 635 during the Tang dynasty (618 - 907), but the enthusiasm soon waned. A historical record of the event was made on a stone stele which is now display in Xi'an. Later in the Yuan dynasty (1271 - 1368) the religion attempted a comeback for a short period. In the tenth year of Wanli reign (1582) in the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), the Italian priest Matteo Ricci, was permitted to set up churches. After the opium war, catholic developed rapidly in China.

Christianity not of a Catholic or eastern church (i.e. Presbyterian, Lutheran) was introduced to China during the 1930s, when there was a large influx of missionaries. The most famous Christian was probably Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the father of the Republic of China. Most churches in China are transplants from Europe.

Islam arrived in China in 652 AD. There are approximately 17 million followers in China, including Hui (Han Moslems), Uygurs, Kazaks, Kirgiz and Uzbeks. There are two varieties of Islamic mosques. The ones seen in the northwest of China are just like the ones in the Middle East. The other ones look like Chinese temples.