Wangfujing Catholic Church

About

The East Church, or Wangfujing Catholic Church, located on the eastern side of central Wangfujing Street, is one of the best preserved religious sites and the second oldest Catholic Church in Beijing. Its gray Gothic structure has endured a torrid history. The present building was rebuilt in 1904 on the ruins of the burned church.

The East Church was originally called Saint Joseph's Church, and was built in the 12th year (1655) of Emperor Shunzhi during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It was the second Catholic Church built in Beijing after Italian preacher Matteo Ricci built the South Church in southern Beijing at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In the 1980s, large-scale repairs and maintenance were carried out by the government for East Church.

Occupying an area of 2,387 square meters, the church underwent its latest renovation in the last few years. Beside the church is a front square of 1.2 hectares. Trees and grass were planted there and various lighting facilities were installed to show off the gorgeous building at night.

To get there: Take the line one subway to Wangfujing Station. (below the Oriental plaza). The church is about 500 meters north of this station exit, north up Wangfujing Street or take the number 5 line to a stop about the same distance to the east of the church.

All Beijing churches will offer Christmas services for Christians in Beijing. So far, there are eight churches within Beijing. They include the Eastern Church (Wangfujing Catholic Church), Western Church (Xizhimen Church), Southern Church (Xuanwumen Catholic Church), Northern Church (Xishiku Catholic Church), St. Michael's Church, Nangangzi Church, Pingfang Church and Dongguantou Church. Nine other churches are located in Beijing's suburbs.

Around

1. Capital Museum At a cost of 1.23 billion yuan, the new Capital Museum can accommodate 2,000 visitors daily. With a floor area of more than 60,000 square meters, Capital Museum is second only to the National Museum of China in terms of size. To see all the exhibitions in the new museum, it would take at least four or five hours. There are 5,622 items on display, almost 10 times the number of exhibits displayed at the old venue. With its magnificent architecture, abundant exhibitions, advanced technology and complete functions, the Capital Museum, large and modern, makes its contribution to the titles such as "famous historical and cultural city", "cultural center" and "international metropolis" of Beijing and ranks among the first class museums both at home and abroad.

To make visits more convenient for foreign visitors, English and Japanese services are available. Other languages will be added in the future.

2. Tian'anmen Square The Tian'anmen Square lies at the cross-section between the central axis of Beijing and the Chang'an Street. Tiananmen is 34.7 meters tall. When it was first built in the 15th year of Yongle (1417), it was called Chengtian Gate. It was twice destroyed in the Ming Dynasty, once by lightening, once by war. In 1651, or the 8th year of Emperor Shunzhi's reign in the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor named Fulin had it rebuilt on a large scale and changed its name to Tiananmen. Imposing and magnificent, it stands out among ancient city gates in China.

3. The Palace Museum The Palace Museum, former home to the 24 Ming and Qing emperors, is also known as the Forbidden City. Completed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, it occupies a total space of more than 720, 000 square meters. Apart from the complex of immovable palace buildings, the Palace Museum houses over 1.5 million items or sets of relics.

How to get there: Bus: 103,102,808 Metro: Line 1 and get off at Wangfujing station

Opening hours: 5:00-11:30, 14:00-17:00

Tel: +86 10 6524 0634

Address: 74 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng district

All Beijing churches will offer Christmas services for Christians in Beijing. So far, there are eight churches within Beijing. They include the Eastern Church (Wangfujing Catholic Church), Western Church (Xizhimen Church), Southern Church (Xuanwumen Catholic Church), Northern Church (Xishiku Catholic Church), St. Michael's Church, Nangangzi Church, Pingfang Church and Dongguantou Church. Nine other churches are located in Beijing's suburbs.

Christmas services at the four churches are usually held at these times:

6 pm, December 24: Mass. 7 pm to 10 pm December 24: Open for all visitors. 11 pm to 1:30 am (next morning): Mass time for Catholics who have entrance tickets. The ticket is usually offered free of charge before December 23 at the church. From 6 am to 11 am, December 25: mass is usually conducted every hour