Belief in building

China's oldest Buddhist temple is becoming a channel to boost religious study and strengthen friendship across borders, report Hou Liqiang and Qi Xin in Luoyang, Henan province and Zhang Yunbi in Beijing.

When graduate student Chen Xin visited the White Horse Temple in Luoyang of Henan province, she never expected to see shrines built in foreign styles there.

"The shrines were fabulous. We could experience exotic buildings and cultures. They also stimulated our interest to know more about Buddhism in these countries," said Chen, 30, from the Fourth Military Medical University.