Before leaving Beijing, be sure to visit this century-old church.

Beijing is truly a treasure trove! Having lived here for over 20 years, this is the first time I've discovered such a stunning Catholic church. 💒 Don't miss this place during your short holiday in Beijing. This is the Xishiku Church ⛪️, which has a history of over 100 years and is the largest Catholic church in Beijing. It has been around for over 300 years and still retains the calligraphy of Emperor Kangxi. The main building is a three-story Gothic structure with 11 spires at the top, and the building's floor plan is cross-shaped. The two Chinese-style pavilions outside the church give it a unique blend of Eastern and Western aesthetics. The church's interior is resplendent, with a golden dome supported by 300 giant columns and 80 stained glass windows depicting the history of Catholicism in China. The church has a strong Oriental character, and the sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows in the afternoon is incredibly sacred. Many couples choose to hold their weddings here. 💒 On the day we visited, we saw three couples entering the church one after another. The church offers different beautiful views at different times of the year. 🌸 In spring, there are crabapple blossoms, and in winter, ❄️ the snow-covered pine trees in front of the church add to its mystery. ⚠️Note: 📍 No. 33, Xishiku Street, Xicheng District 👉🏼 About reservations: No reservation is required, and you can enter the church! However, the main entrance is usually closed, so you need to enter through the small door on the right. 📅 Visiting time: If you are just visiting for sightseeing and taking photos, avoid misa time. During misa, photography and videography are not allowed, and you cannot leave your seat unless there are special circumstances! It is recommended to visit on Saturdays, as there are fewer sessions, only in the morning. Sundays are not recommended. It is best to visit around 4 pm on a sunny day, 🌞 when the indoor lighting is optimal. ⌚️ Church exterior opening hours: Morning: 06:30–11:00 Afternoon: 14:00–17:00 🌹 Misa time: Monday to Saturday: 06:30 Chinese, 07:15 Chinese Sunday: 06:30 Chinese, 07:30 Chinese, 09:00 Chinese, 11:00 English, 12:30 Italian/Spanish, 16:00 Chinese, 18:00 Chinese 👔 Dress code: No hats; skirts below the knee, no bare shoulders or back, no slippers, remove hats, and silence phones. ⚠️ No large luggage; no tripods or commercial photography; no loud noise or running. 🏔️ Nearby: Palace Museum, Tiananmen Square, Beihai Park, Summer Palace, Shichahai, Lu Xun's Former Residence, White Pagoda Temple, Xidan 🏛️ Four major Catholic churches in Beijing: North Church: Xishiku Church South Church: Xuanwumen Church (currently closed) West Church: Xizhimen Church East Church: Wangfujing Church Don't want to be crowded? Save this post now!