Shanghai's Religious Trail

Over the course of a full day, this tour will guide you through Shanghai’s spiritual trail, from the origins of Chinese Christianity to the Jewish refugees of the Second World War and the ancient philosophies of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Beginning with China’s most practised religion, you’ll visit the renowned Jade Buddha Temple to join the many worshippers paying their respects to the beautiful jade statue of the Buddha. From here you travel on to the largest cathedral in the Far East, the Cathedral of Saint Ignacio. As you wander through the cathedral, which dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, your guide will explain how Christianity arrived in China, and explore the blend of western and eastern cultures present in both the religion and the building.

Travel further back in time as you visit a Confucius Temple to learn more about the founding principles of Confucianism and how the social and political principles of a man from the 6th century BC continue to influence society in the 21st century. Next up, the City God Temple will introduce you to the complex blend of beliefs of Taoism, one of the world’s most intriguing religions. Your last stop is the Ohel Moishe Synagogue, founded by Russian Jews in 1927. The former ghetto that surrounds the synagogue was once home to 20,000 Jews who had fled the Nazis during the Second World War.

Having explored the wealth of religions and cultural melange of Shanghai over the course of the day, you’ll be returned to your hotel with a deeper understanding of the religions of the city and its residents.