HAIDIAN DISTRICT. This beautiful Daoist temple was built in 739 AD, and its serene courtyards are home to blue-frocked monks who wear their hair in the traditional style ­ long, braided and tied in a bun on top of the head. Daoism, which rejects the accumulation of wealth, is China's only native religion. Although it is not compulsory, you might want to dress respectfully when entering this place of worship.

Founded in AD 696, this is the oldest Buddhist temple in Beijing. A vast and attractive complex, it contains an academy for training monks, a library, and several halls with a variety of Buddhist statues, from the laughing Maitreya Buddha statues to more austere incarnations such as the sedate reclining Buddha. In addition to the excellent exhibitions of Buddhist art, the architecture and atmosphere are quite relaxing.

BEIXINQIAO DISTRICT. Perhaps the most interesting and most imposing Buddhist temple in the capital, the Lama Temple was remodeled in 1694 to serve as the residence of the future Qing emperor, Yongzheng. Today, it is an important repository of Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist images and works of art, providing a chance to witness the fascinating culture of the Tibetans. The Lama Temple is also easy to reach with a metro station of the same name beside it.