The earliest traces of human habitation in Guilin date back to the Qin Dynasty (B.C.221- B.C.214). Since then, Guilin had become the political, economic and cultural centre of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, local civilization lived prosperously leaving many historic relics still intact today. Among the innumerable historic relics, there are some distinguished representatives including Jingjiang Prince Villa epigraph (of the Ming Dynasty), which is the largest of all the epigraphs in Guilin. Besides, Guilin's Ling Canal, located in Xin'an County, ranks as one of the three greatest Water Conservancies in Ancient China. It was built in the Qin Dynasty and is still fully functional today. Owning such an abundance of historic relics and epigraphs, Guilin became part of China’s first batch of National Historic and Cultural Cities in 1982.

 

Over the ages, many religions have entered Guilin and at present, there are five main religions, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Christianity. Each religion has added its own mark to the cultural history of Guilin.

 

Religious and cultural resources in Guilin are both abundant and famous. According to the surveys, Guilin has 64 Buddhist temples, 15 Muslim temples, 4 Catholic Churches and 7 Christ Churches. Besides, the number of Cliffside Inscriptions and statue reaches 2000.

 

In the five main religions of Guilin, Buddhism and Taoism have the longest history. Guangxi is one of the earliest regions to the introduction of Buddhism. Around the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC - 9 AD), Buddhism was introduced in Guangxi, and unprecedented prosperity in Guilin in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), becoming one of the centers of Buddhism in south China.

 

Church (Catholic & Christian) in Guilin

 

Guilin Christian Church

Mass Time: 19:30 on Saturday, 12:30 on Sunday

 

Address: No.456, Zhongshan Raod (Middle), Guilin City

 

Buddhist Temples in Guilin

 

Guilin Nengren Temple

This temple is known for its Big Buddha Palace and Kwan-yin Hall. It is s a non-traditional temple in that it is served by nine nuns who are responsible for all the temples’ Buddhist rites and the preparation of traditional vegetarian meals.

 

Address: Lijun Lu, Guilin

 

Mosques (Masjid) in Guilin

 

Guilin Maping Mosque

This Mosque was first established during the Qing Dynasty in the tenth year of Kangxi. The original quadrilateral structure has been expanded, and today it can hold up to 500 worshipers.

 

Address:1 Qixing Lu, Huaqiao Jie, Qingxing District, Guilin

 

Guilin Chongshan Mosque

Located in Xiamen, Guilin, this Mosque was built in 1735 during the Qing Dynasty and underwent extensive renovations during the Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Republican periods.

 

Address: 11 Chongshan Lu, Xiangshan District, Guilin