Demography of religions in China

Demography of religions in China. Map based on the following ones:

• Source map #1. Dumortier, Brigitte, 2002, Atlas des religions, Autrement, collection Atlas, Paris, p. 32.
• Source map #2. Narody Vostochnoi Asii ("Ethnic Groups of East Asia" (1965)), Zhongguo Minsu Dili ("Folklore Geography of China" (1999)), Zhongguo Dili ("Geography of China" (2002)).
• Source map #3. 高文德 主编.中国少数民族史大辞典.长春：吉林教育出版社. 1995.
• Source map #4. 《中国少数民族艺术词典》编程委员会 编;殷海山,李耀宗,郭洁 主编.中国少数民族艺术词典.北京：民族出版社. 1991.

Chinese traditional religions (worship of gods and ancestors, Taoism and Confucianism) are dominant in the provinces populated by a Han Chinese majority, and have a presence in areas with large Han Chinese settlements. In northeastern China (Manchuria), it has developed unique characteristics (forms of practice and pantheon) from its interaction with Manchu shamanism. The Confucian folk religious movement Shanrendao is widespread in northeast China.

Among Han Chinese, the second largest religion is Chinese Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism is present in Yunnan areas bordering Burma, practiced by Dai peoples, and in the southern part of Hainan, practiced by the Li people.

Tibetan Buddhism has an absolute majority in Tibet, and a strong presence of around 20% in Qinghai (which population is 20% ethnic Tibetan) and a smaller percentage in Inner Mongolia (13%). Mongolians practice it alongside their indigenous faith, Tengerism or Mongolian shamanism.

Islam has a majority of over 50% in Xinjiang, populated by the Uyghurs, and a strong presence in Ningxia, the Hui Chinese autonomous region at the centre of China, and in Qinghai.