Christianity in Yunnan

Christianity is a minority in Yunnan province of China. There are two divisions of Christianity in Yunnan Province: Protestantism and Catholism. The Shouters are present in the province. There are more than a million Protestants in the province. Yunnan has persecution of Christians. Fugong has a Christian majority. Nujiang has a notable Christian minority. Many of the A-Hmao and Eastern Lipo are Christians. Yunnan has Hmong Churches and many Lisu Churches. Han Chinese are a minority among the Christians in the province. The Roman Catholic Church, affiliated directly with the Vatican, has approximately 60,000 members in Yunnan. Membership is composed primarily of Yunnan’s ethnic minority communities.

History of Christianity in Yunnan

Nestorian Christianity arrived in the Tibetan region more than a thousand years ago. Christianity spread to Tibet and Yunnan province via the trade routes linking Europe and East Asia a millennium ago. As early as the 16th century, the Vatican sent missionaries to evangelise to the local community. By the 19th century, Pope Gregory XVI had created the Vicariate Apostolic of Lhasa and assigned French missionaries the task of converting the Tibetan people. But for all the myths about peaceful Tibetan Buddhists, the introduction of Catholicism to the region proved violent. Tibetan Buddhist monasteries regularly waged wars against the Catholic followers, killing priests and converts and razing churches and villages.

The Spread and Localization of Christianity in Yunnan

Christianity, one of the five major religions in Yunnan (云南), was introduced to the region in the late 19th century via two main routes—East and West. In 1877, British missionary McCarthy (麦嘉底) became the first missionary to enter Yunnan. By 1881, a missionary network was gradually established across western and central Yunnan (滇西, 滇中). By 2015, the number of Christian followers in Yunnan exceeded 4.5 million, which accounts for about one-tenth of the province’s total population.

In the process of its spread, Christianity in Yunnan developed distinct local characteristics. Missionaries created over ten different written scripts for ethnic minorities like the Miao (苗族) and Jingpo (景颇族), using schools to promote religious education. Modern churches, such as the Beichen Christian Church (北辰基督教堂) in Kunming (昆明), have promoted cultural integration by setting up exhibition halls for ethnic unity and hosting cultural activities during traditional festivals, thus fostering the integration of Christian teachings with Chinese traditional culture. In 2025, the Yunnan Christian Church system (云南省基督教两会) will advance the Sinicization of Christianity, focusing on theological thought development and pastoral training.

The Christian Church is also actively involved in social welfare. During the pandemic, it donated over one million yuan worth of protective materials and organized believers to participate in public affairs such as river management. Yunnan has established educational institutions like the Yunnan Christian Seminary (云南基督教神学院), and a church management system that covers several states (cities) in the province.

• Introduction Date: Late 19th Century

• Major Ethnic Groups: Han (汉), Lisu (傈僳), Miao (苗), Yi (彝), Hani (哈尼)

• Number of Believers: Over 4.5 million (as of 2015)

• Educational Institution: Yunnan Christian Seminary (云南基督教神学院)

• Social Services: Over 4,000 beneficiaries (as of 2022)

• Honorary Title: Model Unit for Ethnic Unity and Progress (民族团结进步示范单位)

Historical Development of Christianity in Yunnan

Introduction Phase (1877–1900)

In 1877, British missionary McCarthy (麦嘉底) entered Yunnan through Myanmar (缅甸), marking the official arrival of Christianity in the region. In 1881, George and Clara Clarke (乔治·克拉克夫妇) established the first church in Dali (大理), and in 1882, the second missionary point was set up in Kunming (昆明). During this period, the development was slow, with fewer than 10 preaching locations and less than 100 believers.

Development Phase (1901–1949)

After the signing of the Boxer Protocol (辛丑条约) in 1901, the first missionary peak occurred. The St. Paul Church (圣道公会) established a chapel, hospital, and school complex in Zhaotong (昭通). Missionary Berger (柏格理) created the Miao (苗族) language at the Guizhou-Yunnan (黔滇) border and established a missionary center in Shimenkan (石门坎). In 1913, the call of missionary Mu De (穆德) led to a second peak in missionary work, expanding the reach to 60 counties and forming a division of five main missionary groups in Yunnan.

Localization Practices

Cultural Integration

In 2024, the Yunnan Christian Two Associations (云南省基督教两会) organized a series of lectures titled “Cultivating the Soil, Nurturing the Roots” (润土培根), in which the cultural connection between the Bible and Chinese classics was explored by interpreting terms like “God” and “Heaven” found in the “Four Books and Five Classics” (四书五经). The Beichen Christian Church (北辰基督教堂) in Kunming (昆明) held a lecture for the Double Ninth Festival (重阳节), combining tea ceremonies (茶道) and calligraphy (书法) activities to express their faith.

Creation of Written Scripts

Missionaries created various written scripts for local ethnic groups:

• Miao Script (苗文) (1905): Created by missionary Berger (柏格理) for the Miao ethnic group.

• Jingpo Script (景颇文) (1895): A Latinized script for the Jingpo ethnic group.

• Lisu Script (傈僳文) (1915): Created by missionary Fu Nenren (富能仁) for the Lisu ethnic group.

Organizational System

Church Management

The Yunnan Christian Two Associations (云南省基督教两会) — the Yunnan Christian Association (云南省基督教协会) and the Yunnan Christian Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee (云南省基督教三自爱国运动委员会) — oversee all church management in the province. In 2024, a clergy ordination ceremony was held in Honghe Prefecture (红河州), during which seven pastors and one elder were ordained, improving the local pastoral system.

Educational Institutions

The Yunnan Christian Seminary (云南基督教神学院) serves as the core educational institution. In 2025, the seminary will hold its 20th pastoral training session, providing systematic training for 60 pastors and elders. The curriculum includes ethnic religious policies and theological thought development.

Social Services

Public Welfare Activities

The Beichen Christian Church (北辰基督教堂) in Kunming (昆明) has provided assistance to over 4,000 people in need, distributing over one million yuan in aid. Church clergy members also serve as “river chiefs” (市民河长), organizing believers to participate in river management projects such as the Panlong River (盘龙江) project.

Pandemic Prevention

From 2020 to 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Christian institutions in Yunnan donated 150,000 medical masks and over 2,000 boxes of disinfectant, supporting anti-epidemic efforts in border areas.

Policy Responses

In 2024, the Yunnan Christian Two Associations’ (云南省基督教两会) annual meeting reviewed and passed the “2025 Systematic Measures for Promoting the Sinicization of Christianity in Yunnan” (2025年系统推进云南基督教中国化工作措施). The plan emphasizes reinforcing a shared sense of community among the Chinese nation and deepening the “Three Loves and Four Histories” (三爱四史) educational theme. As of 2024, 16 Christian Sinicization practice bases (基督教中国化实践基地) have been established across the province.

Major Christian Churches in Yunnan

Trinity International Christian Church昆明“三一国际礼拜堂”

Trinity International Church is in Kunming, Yunnan Province. Founded in 1904, it was called Trinity Holy Church. In December 2004, the new church building was built and was given with its present name. The new church building covers an areas of 4018 square meters. The church has five services on Sundays. More than 7000 believers come to attend the congregation. The church has 19 full-time staff, including 6 priests, 6 preachers and 7 executives, and there are also 95 deacons and more than 300 volunteers.

Xi’an Shengtang昆明锡安圣堂

Located in Jinbi Road of Kunming, Xi’an Shengtang is a Protestant church designed by British missionaries and built in 1922. Above the chapel is embedded the Chinese words “锡安圣堂”, which has a reading platform, lectern stage, and can accommodate 500 people. The existing Neo-Gothic building was rebuilt in 1993 with a cross standing on its gable. The lobby is in the form of a rectangular auditorium from the south to the north, with pointed Windows on both sides of the inner hall. The rostrum is at the southern end of the hall flanked by a choir. There are ancillary buildings. 

St John Gospel Church昆明圣约翰教堂

Kunming St John Gospel Church, located at No.96 Dongfeng West Road, is one of the two Christian churches currently open in the city. In 1913 (two years of the republic of China), the Anglican church purchased a house in Wanzhong street(万钟街) and converted it into a church in 1915 (four years of the republic of China). Since then, it has been rebuilt three times, from the original civil structure to the present brick and concrete structure. The monument was erected in 1944 (33 years of the republic of China) when the reconstruction was completed in 1946, and the ashes of 17 flying tiger pilots who died in the Anti-Japanese War were hung on both sides of the inner wall of the church (which was taken away by the U.S. consulate in Kunming in 1948). In 1948 (37 years of the republic of China), the church was converted into the main church, known as st. John’s church.

Laomudeng Church老姆登教堂

“Laomudeng”, is the word of Nu Ethnic People which means a place where people are longing to stay. It is the largest church in the Nu river valley. Black brick wall, red lacquer and wood window, tin roof, simple and plain, which shows the purity and piety of people’s faith. Laomudeng church is located at the Laomudeng Village, Pihe Town, Gongshan County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, northwest of Yunnan province. Christian churches in the Nujiang river area were all made by French missionaries. As early as 1902, French missionaries began to cross the Biluo Snow mountain from Cizhong, arriving at Nujiang river area to preach and established a number of churches. Laomudeng church is the largest one of them. From the outside, the church is not spectacular, with no familiar glass windows, domes, and iconic gothic spires, or even instruments like an organ.

Baihanluo Catholic Church白汉洛教堂

Baihanluo church is the oldest church in the Nujiang area. Located in Baihanluo village, Baihanluo church was built in the 24th year of the reign of emperor Guangxu of the Qing dynasty (1898), in wooden construction combined in Chinese and Western style. It covers 454 square meters. The door is of the arch style with six matting fan, the second floor with arched windows, the third floor for the bell tower. In 1905, the local people held an anti-foreign religious revolt and burned down the church, which was known as the “Baihanluo case”. That Baihanluo church, built over a hundred years ago, is much more spectacular than the existing one. The excellent craftsmen of Jianchuan Dali made this church beautifully and magnificently. On the vaulted roof of the church beautifully painted murals that telling stories from the Bible. Stepping into the chapel in candlelight is like stepping into heaven.

Cizhong Catholic Church茨中天主教堂

The Cizhong Catholic Church is located in Cizhong Village of Yanmen Township, 80 kilometers from the south of Deqin County in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. It was first constructed at Cigu Village in 1867 (the 6th year of the Tongzhi Reign in the late Qing Dynasty), and was torched to ashes in 1905 during the Movement of Expelling Western Religions; it was reconstructed from 1909 to 1921, employing a great deal of labor, quantities of materials and huge amounts of money. It is a model which combines the architecture features of both western countries and China’s Tibet, Han and Bai ethnic groups. The church and its wing-room, gate, cellar and grape yard were well preserved by local government. It was listed as the key national cultural protection relics by the State Council in 2006.

Zhongding Catholic Church重丁教堂

In the late 19th century, French missionary Annet Genestier arrived at Bingzhongluo from Kangding to built church. In 1921, he purchased another piece of land in Zhongding village of Bingzhong township. It took more than ten years to build a new opalescent church symbolizing holy and pure, in two mini Notre Dame de Paris, finally completed in 1935. The church is located in Zhongding Village, 3 kilometers away from Bingzhongluo Township, Gongshan County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Northwest of Yunnan province. Zhongding church is the most famous church in Bingzhongluo area, which was built in 1908 by French missionary Annet Genestier and modelled on the Catholic church in Hong Kong, large and beautiful. It was destroyed during the “cultural revolution” and rebuilt in 1996. Smaller than the original church, the inside of the church is very simple, with a number of long wooden benches, and faded paintings hung on the wall. Behind the church is a simple little grave hidden by the trees where the missionary who built the church was buried.

Dali Catholic Church大理天主教堂

he Catholic Church of Dali Ancient Town is located in a quiet alley of Renmin Road, Dali Ancient Town. It was built in 1927. The official introduction of Catholicism to Yunnan was in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The architectural features of the church are unique, regarded as the national treasure that blends the characteristics of the local Bai culture with the Han and Western architecture, enjoying a flying arch and a beautiful painting. The Dali is Ancient Town is beautiful, quiet and charming. It has rich multi-ethnic culture and traditional Chinese Han culture, and the unique combination of Western culture. Catholic Church is the evidence of the integration of Chinese and Western culture. The Catholic Church shows the harmony of Chinese and Western culture. The church is the combination of the features of Bai, Han and Western architecture. In 1983, it was entitled as the “Relics Protection Unit” by the Dali Cultural Relics Department.

Luduke Catholic Church鲁都克教堂

Luduke Catholic Church is located about 130 kilometers west of Yanshan county, Yunnan province. It is 2200 meters above sea level and has a cold climate. It is a mixed area of Miao and Yi minorities. Founded in 1908, it is one of two Catholic churches that Wenshan Prefecture has approved to open. This church is a courtyard house with stone and wood structure, covering an area of about 700 square meters. It has the characteristic of French style architecture. It is also a key cultural relic protection unit of Wenshan Prefecture. In 2002, it was listed as the patriotism education base of Yunnan province, with rich landscape levels. According to the introduction of local informed old person, the bell that this bell tower set originally weighs 90 catties, the bell tone can spread 3 kilometers away. There is a classroom behind the bell tower, covering an area of 42 square meters. It was the place where the priest preached, and it is now a regular place of worship for local followers.

||Christianity in Yunnan: Protestantism and Catholism ||Christianity in Yunnan, Catholism in Yunnan, Religions in Yunnan, Churches in Yunnan||There are two divisions of Christianity in Yunnan Province: Protestantism and Catholism. Many of the A-Hmao and Eastern Lipo are Christians. Yunnan has Hmong Churches and many Lisu Churches. Han Chinese are a minority among the Christians in the province.

I. Main Christian Churches in Kunming City

1. San Yi International Chapel (三一国际礼拜堂)

Address: 188 Renmin Middle Road (人民中路), Kunming City (昆明市), Postal Code: 650031
Phone: 0871-3616390 / 3639180-403
Website: http://www.yn31.com/web

San Yi International Chapel, originally founded in 1903 and rebuilt in 2004, was the headquarters of the Yunnan Christian “Two Associations” (云南基督教“两会”). The church follows Gothic architectural style and has a total building area of 4018 square meters. It serves as a major Christian center in Yunnan, with over 4,000 participants on Sundays.

2. St. John’s Church (圣约翰堂)

Address: 96 Dongfeng West Road (东风西路), Kunming City (昆明市), Postal Code: 650021
Worship Times: Daily at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Phone: 0871-3613855

St. John’s Church is one of the central Christian churches in Kunming, offering daily worship services and community outreach programs.

3. Zion Church (锡安圣堂)

Address: 61 Jinbi Road (金碧路), Kunming City (昆明市), Postal Code: 650011
Worship Times: Daily at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Phone: 0871-3163205

Zion Church is focused on serving the local community, particularly through traditional worship practices.

4. Beichen Church (北辰基督教堂)

Address: 4-5 D Section, Beichen Commercial Pedestrian Street (北辰小区商业步行街 D段), Panlong District (盘龙区), Kunming City (昆明市), Postal Code: 650224
Website: http://www.bccc777.com
Phone: 0871-2309103

Beichen Church stands as a multicultural place of worship, with congregants from various ethnic groups, including Han (汉族), Lisu (傈僳族), and Miao (苗族) people.

II. Major Christian Churches in Dali Region

1. Dali Old Town Church (大理古城基督教堂)

Address: Intersection of Fuxing Road (复兴路) and Pingdeng Road (平等路), Dali City (大理市)
History: Founded in June 1904, originally named “Chinese Christian Worship Hall” (中华基督教礼拜堂), and was recognized as a municipal cultural heritage site in 2008.
Architectural Features: Combines Western European Gothic-style arches and traditional Bai (白族) ethnic “stone wall” craftsmanship.
Phone: 0872-2674044

The church functions both as a place for religious worship and a historical-cultural exhibition.

2. Fengyi Church (凤仪基督教堂)

Address: Fengyi Town (凤仪镇), Fengming Village (凤鸣村), Dali City (大理市)
History: Built in November 2003, it was one of the earliest churches in eastern Dali.
Architectural Features: Simple Gothic style, with a construction area of 600 square meters.
Phone: Not provided

The church offers weekly services, including special celebrations for Easter (复活节) and Christmas (圣诞节).

3. Xiaguan Church (下关基督教会)

Address: 134 Xianxian West Road (建设西路), Xiaguan (下关), Dali City (大理市)
Worship Times: Daily at 10:00 AM
Phone: 0872-2169423

This church primarily serves the community in the Xiaguan area and provides daily worship services.

III. Major Christian Churches in Nujiang Region

1. Laomudeng Church (老姆登基督教堂)

Address: Laomudeng Village (老姆登村), Pihe Nu Ethnic Township (匹河怒族乡), Fugong County (福贡县), Nujiang Prefecture (怒江州)
History: Founded in 1930 and rebuilt in 1981, it is the largest church in the Nujiang River Basin (怒江流域).
Architectural Features: Simple, rustic style with blue brick walls, red-painted wooden windows, and a white iron sheet roof.
Worship Times: Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Phone: 0886-3624174

Laomudeng Church is known for its pure faith expression and holds regular weekly services.

2. Nujiang Central Church (怒江州中心基督教会)

Address: Liuku Town (六库镇), Nujiang Prefecture (怒江州)
Worship Times: Daily at 12:30 PM
Phone: 0886-3624174

This church serves as the central Christian hub for Nujiang Prefecture, coordinating various Christian activities throughout the region.

IV. Other Representative Christian Churches in Yunnan Province

1. Nuofu Church (糯福基督教堂)

Address: Nuofu Township (糯福乡), Lancang County (澜沧县), Pu’er City (普洱市)
History: Built in 1922 and designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site in 1987.
Architectural Features: A blend of Western and Lahu (拉祜族) traditional elements, featuring a wooden pillar structure.
Current Status: A historical testament to the spread of Christianity among ethnic minorities.
Phone: Not provided

2. Gejiu City Church (个旧市基督教会)

Address: Yaojia Lane (姚家巷), Renmin Road (人民路), Gejiu City (个旧市)
Worship Times: Daily at 9:00 AM
Phone: 0873-2132660

3. Jinghong City Church (景洪市基督教会)

Address: 5 Manyun Village (曼允村), Galan Middle Road (戛兰中路), Jinghong City (景洪市), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳州)
Worship Times: Daily at 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 3:30 PM
Phone: 0691-2126210

Jinghong City Church is located in the heart of the tropical rainforest region and serves a diverse congregation with multiple services daily.

4. Baoshan City Church (保山市基督教会)

Address: 200 Chengguan East Road (城关东路), Baoshan City (保山市)
Worship Times: Daily at 9:00 AM
Phone: 0875-2134567

V. Additional Churches in Various Regions

• Yuxi City Church (玉溪市基督教会): 177 Xinxing Road (新兴路), Yuxi City (玉溪市), Postal Code: 653100, Worship at 10:00 AM

• Chuxiong City Church (楚雄市基督教会): 280 Huancheng West Road (环城西路), Chuxiong City (楚雄市), Postal Code: 675000, Worship at 9:00 AM

• Zhaotong City Church (昭通市基督教会): 30 Jixian Street (吉贤街), Zhaotong City (昭通市), Postal Code: 657000, Worship at 9:00 AM

• Kaiyuan City Church (开远市基督教会): 22 Xinhuan Lane (新华巷), Renmin Middle Road (人民中路), Kaiyuan City (开远市), Postal Code: 651000, Worship at 9:00 AM

These churches serve various ethnic communities and provide vital spiritual support to local residents, contributing to the rich religious diversity in Yunnan Province.