A similar question is raised by most religious foreign students who plan to study abroad in China. When they arrive well they be able to continue the practice of their own religion?
Beijing with its vast history stretching over 5,000 years has seen the presence of many diverse religions including Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, and Confucianism. Surprising to most westerns, it also has seen a presence of Christianity.
 
It is completely possible to practice as well as attend Church if you are a Christian living or partaking in a study abroad in China course. In fact, scattered around Beijing one can find numerous churches which give many a piece of home transplanted into an unfamiliar city. Some of these churches were built over a hundred years ago and represents the wests past foreign influence on China.
 
What usually surprises many Christian westerners and those who study abroad in China, China has in fact an estimated ten million followers of the religion, and since an amendment in government in 1982 which allows for the free practice of religion, that number has been steadily growing. This numbers have since attended these Christian built churches and have fallen in line with western Christian customs. Therefore these worship centres not only serve as a place of worship, they also represent a fascinating glimpse into the long history of Christianity in China and its accompanying influence.
 
China’s first introduction to Christianity came in the seventh century when the Nestorians presented themselves to the imperial court at Xi'an and were allowed to establish a monastery there. It was here that the religion was embraced by both the Chinese people and the imperial court. The following years proved to be “rocky” for the religion as emperors such as Kang Xi who in 1721 banned Catholicism as he saw it as a foreign religion and thus wanted to rid of it from the empire. During the Ming dynasty however, many people welcomed the missionaries and began a cultural exchange with Europe. Eventually these Missionaries were granted land in such cities as Beijing where they were allowed to build churches. As you study abroad in China some of churches made available to you have roots back to this early beginning.
 
As the imperial court of China and western powers vied for power however, these granted lands and churches often turned into scenes of destruction.  The most destructive moment for Christian Churches, especially within Beijing, came about at the turn of the 19 century when the Boxer Rebellion took rise. Most of the churches still seen to today were rebuilt from the destruction caused at the beginning of the 20th century.
 
With the rise of the Communist Party during the Cultural Revolution came the halt of Christianity and other religions within China. Religion during this period was prohibited as it was seen as a dividing element of society. Different religions would not mingle with other religions. So for the next coming decades all churches were gutted and used as storehouse or left vacant. As you study abroad in China, you will have an opportunity to understand more about why religion within the nation was banned.
 
With China’s reforms of opening up, religion has again been able to enter the country. Christian churches are again in use and attract millions of people across China. 
 
So for the Christians who wish to come to China to study abroad in China, they do not need to fear about restrictions of practice. They can freely travel to and fro to their place of worship and continue their life styles of religion while in China.