St. Sophia Cathedral

Introduction to St. Sophia Cathedral (苏菲亚教堂)

Saint Sophia Cathedral is one of the few still standing Orthodox churches in Harbin. It is now converted into a Harbin Construction Art Museum. There are exhibitions of many photographs from old times inside. 

Saint Sophia Cathedral has significant Harbin history and China. It was built in 1907 after the completion of the Trans-Siberian Railway in 1903, which connected Vladivostok to northeast China. The Russian No.4 Army Division arrived in this region just after Russia's loss to the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905). St. Sophia Church was built and completed of timber in March, 1907 as part of a plan to reconsolidate the confidence of the army by building an imposing spiritual symbol.

The church is located on the corner of Toulin Street and Zhaolin Street. It stands at 53.3 meters tall, occupies an area of 721 square meters (0.18 acres), and is the perfect example of Neo-Byzantine architecture. The main structure is laid out like a cross with the main hall topped with a huge green tipped dome. Under the bright sun, the church and the square area it lies on looks quite like the Red Square in Moscow.

Location

Sophia Square, Daoli District, Harbin

Travel Information

Admission to Harbin Construction Art Museum: 20 Yuan

Opening Hours: 8:00AM - 5:30PM
 

Main Sights

St. Sophia Cathedral, Harbin Museum of Architecture

Transportation 

1. Take bus No.1, 2, 13,15,64,66,113 from downtown Harbin to Hayibai or Shizhuang Dasha stop.

2. Take bus No. 53 or No.114 to Central Street stop.

Travel Tips 

1. The average temperature in Harbin during winter is -30 degrees. If you plan on visiting during winter then you need to wrap up warm with appropriate outdoor clothing and comfortable snow boots are recommended.

2. Try to avoid visiting during Golden Week and summer holidays.

Tour including Visiting St. Sophia Cathedral

Beijing Tianjin Harbin Kaifeng Xian and Shanghai Jewish Culture 12 Days