In his book, the famous St. Petersburg Sinologist E.A. Torchinov comprehensively examines Taoism - the traditional religion of China. Accessible and fascinating, the author talks about more than two thousand years of the history of Taoism in China, tells about the famous hermit Taoists, alchemists, magicians and miracle workers, characterizes the main monuments of the religious and philosophical thought of Taoism and introduces the reader into the amazing world of Taoist doctrine with his desire for unity with nature and faith in the possibility of gaining physical immortality and spiritual perfection. As an appendix to the book, the fruit of the author's many years of work is published - an artistic translation of the world famous treatise "Tao-De Ching," attributed to the mysterious Elder Child, Sage Lao Tzu.