Taoism
Taoism, a Chinese native religion, takes "Tao" as the highest belief. It is a religion established on the basis of Chinese primitive religion, folk beliefs, immortal alchemy and the theories cultivated by Yellow Emperor and Laozi. Taoism takes the Yellow Emperor as its ancestor of origin, Laozi ancestor of doctrine and Zhang Daoling celestial ancestor, and tao te Ching as the fundamental classic.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), Zhang Daoling (34-156) pioneered the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice (Wu Dou Mi Taoism), and canonized Laozi and tao te Ching, ritualized Taoism with proper organization. During the Sui (581- 618), Tang (618-907), Five Dynasties period (907-960) and the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), Taoism thought became systematic, and the social view, natural view and immortal view with Taoism as the core gradually took shape. Taoism believes that life and death, happiness and misfortune, and longevity depends on the person himself. Through accumulating virtue, doing good deeds, and practicing Taoism, people can achieve the state of unity with the Tao, live a long life and become immortals. Therefore, Taoism has created many ways to practice the doctrine and maintain health, such as alchemy, fasting, food-taking, guidance, meditation, etc.
Taoism has had a profound impact on ancient Chinese politics, economy, science and technology, culture and art, folk customs and other aspects. Taoism is an integral part of Chinese ancient cultural heritage and plays an important role in traditional Chinese culture.
道教
中國本土宗教道教，以“道”為最高信仰，是在中國原始宗教、民間信仰、神仙方術等的基礎上，以黃帝之學和老子之學為理論依托而建立起來的宗教。道教以黃帝為始祖， 以老子為道祖，以張道陵為教主，以《道德經》為根本經典。
東漢時期，張道陵（34—156）首創五斗米道，將老子及《道德經》加以宗教化，實現道教的組織化、儀式化。隋唐五代和北宋時期，道教思想逐漸體系化，以道為核心的社會觀、自然觀和神仙觀等教義和教觀漸趨完整。道教認為， 人的生死禍福、壽命長短，取決于人自身。人通過積德行善、不斷修煉，可以達到與道合一的境界，從而能夠長生久視、得道成仙。因此，道教創造了很多修道養生的方法，如煉丹、辟谷、服食、導引、靜坐等。
道教對中國古代政治、經濟、科學技術、文化藝術、民風民俗等方面都產生了深遠的影響。道教文化是中國古代文化遺產的一部分，在中國傳統文化中有重要地位。
