Santa Sophia Church

» Harbin, Hei Long Jiang

Santa Sophia Church Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Santa Sophia Church is the largest Orthodox Church in the Far East. It is 53.55 meters high and covers a total area of 721 square meters. The church can contain over 2000 people. Santa Sophia Church is a typical building in Byzantine style. The mixture of Chinese and Russian culture is what makes the city so special and this is truly reflected in this structure.

When it got its final shape

Saint Sophia Cathedral, which went through several changes before reaching its final shape in 1932, already the twilight of Harbin's Russian era.

What used to be after "World War Two"

For a long time after World War Two, Saint Sophia was hidden, deliberately forgotten, its inside gutted. Other significant Russian churches were destroyed during the traumatic 1960's. It was as if the Chinese were worried that the Russians would come back and claim ownership of the much disputed region.

Why to come

More recently Saint Sophia Cathedral became obvious that handsome it is a part of Harbin's history, of great interest to visitors and tourists. It was renovated with much fanfare, as a Harbin historical museum. Today, the plaza in front of the cathedral is a popular spot with piped in music, a haven in the midst of a chaotic neighborhood.

When to visit

Harbin may be visited both in winter and in summer depending on your tolerance to chilly weather and your purpose of travelling. The city is known for its really cold winters when temperatures could reach minus 30 degrees Celsius. Summers are a good time to travel to Harbin as well since the temperatures are refreshingly cooler compared to those in Beijing and rarely exceed 30 degrees Centigrade.

Where to find "Non-Chinese" friends

You don't meet many non-Chinese tourists in Harbin, and the few that you do meet are most likely Russians from nearby Siberia or Inside Saint Sophia Cathedral.

A typical building in Byzantime style

The church can contain over 2000 people. Santa Sophia Church is a typical building in Byzantine style. The mixture of Chinese and Russian culture is what makes the city so special and this is truly reflected in this structure. The main structure of the church is laid out as a Latin cross with the main hall topped with a huge green tipped roof.

Seven timepieces

Under the bright sun, the church, together with the square around it, reminds the Chinese of the Red Square in Moscow. There are seven timepieces on the top of main entrance. The largest one weighs more than one ton. The timepieces sound seven notes. The arch wall shows famous murals painted by Russian artists.

Attractions around » Harbin, Hei Long Jiang

Natural Scene

• Wudalianchi Scenic Area

Historical Site

• Santa Sophia Church
• Jile Temple

Cultural Site

• Siberia Tiger Park
• Sun Island Park
• Zhaolin Park
• Children's Park

Day Entertainment & Sports

• Yabuli Ski Resort

Shopping & Leisure

• Central Street

Santa Sophia Church Highlights

Christianity in China attraction highlights

• Santa Sophia Church
• Ruins of St. Paul's

Temple & Monastery in Great China

• Shaolin Temple
• Temple of Heaven
• Jokhang Temple
• Confucius Temple
• A-Ma Temple
• Palkhor Monastery
• Sera Temple
• Drepung Temple
• Rongbuk Temple
• Songzanlin Temple
• Id Kah Mosque
• Lingyin Temple
• Labrang Temple
• Great Buddha at Lingshan
• Golden Temple
• Yuantong Temple
• Tashilhunpo Temple
• Sakya Temple
• Temple of Universal Peace
• Putuo Zongcheng Temple
• Eight Outer Temples
• Famen Temple
• Great Mosque
• Nanputuo Temple
• Jade Buddha Temple
• Town God Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Lama Temple
• White Cloud Temple
• Tar Temple
• Santa Sophia Church
• 108 Dagobas
• Memorial Temple of Lord Bao
• White Horse Temple
• Qiongzhu Temple
• Hanging Temple
• Hanshan Temple
• Gaomiao Temple at Zhongwei
• Giant Buddha Temple
• Xiangguo Temple
• Yufeng Lamastery
• Chongshansi Temple
• Dule Temple
• Anyuan Temple
• White Horse Pagoda
• Trandruk Temple
• Dai Temple
• Pagoda of Songyue Temple
• Ramoche Temple
• Guanlin Temple
• Huayan Temple
• Kaiyuan Temple
• Samye Temple
• Jinci Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Ganden Temple
• Dabeiyuan Temple
• Wuhou Memorial Temple
• Shanhua Temple
• Ruins of St. Paul's
• Temple of Universal Happiness
• Great Bell Temple
• Qingjing Mosque
• Hongfu Temple
• Dazhao Temple
• Five Pagoda Temple
• Baoguo Temple
• Wudangzhao Temple
• Shalu Temple
• Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center
• Longhua Temple
• Jile Temple
• Chengtiansi Pagoda
• Nanguan Muslim Mosque
• Qingyanggong Temple
• Ba Xian An Temple
• Tianhou Palace
• Guiyuan Temple
• Linggu Temple
• Najiahu Mosque at Yongning
• Haibao Pagoda
• Xilitu Zhao
• Dongguan Mosque
• Jiegu Temple

Santa Sophia Church FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. What is the best time to visit Harbin?

  Transportation

1. Is it fast from airport to downtown?

  Food

1. What is the local specialty?

  Shopping

1. How to bargain when shopping?
2. Something you should notice in Harbin's traffic?

  Travel

1. What should I notice while traveling in Harbin?
2. May I speak English when traveling in Harbin?

  Customs

1. What are some special festivals in Harbin?

  Other Hints

1. Here are some useful numbers
2. Is Harbin time as same as Beijing time?

• What is the best time to visit Harbin?

  The four seasons are distinct in Harbin. The winter is long and cold. The summer is short and hot. The spring and autumn belongs to the transitional seasons, they only last for a short time. The temperature changes quickly in these two seasons. Although the summer is short, it's relatively cool. Harbin is a good summer resort.

  From December to next January when the weather is frozenly cold is the best time to enjoy the area's ice and snow and the relative activities.

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• Is it fast from airport to downtown?

  Transportation is quite convenient. It takes 40 minutes from the airport to downtown.

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• What is the local specialty?

  The restaurant has been chosen one of the top 50 restaurants is HeiLongJiang Province. Here you can taste real north-east China food. Deer meat hot pot, typical northeast China Jiaozi, sliced pork, sour cabbage and rice noodles... all so yummy.

  The most famous taste offer you sauce pork bones. Using a straw to suck the juice inside the bone. Yammy! Originally people tought it might be fleshy, but it really is a nice dish.

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• How to bargain when shopping?

  The shop set the price rather high than the price they bought the product. They can tell your accent from the local and the tourists. Make 80% off price-cut. If the owner is unhappy add up RMB 5 to RMB 10 each time you bid. If the owner is not so un happy, you may cut more price. Do not show how much you adore the product. Compare more place. Buying gifts on the road instead of in the shop.

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• Something you should notice in Harbin's traffic?

  In winter, traffic is a big issue in Harbin. There are some look-to-be-fancy services around. Like riding a horse to cross the frozen river, a hitchhikerto to some unfrequented area, ect. Watch out when you are about to do this. The horse guy are trend to charge you more if you are foreign visitors, well, it is true all over China. As per hitchhiker, they might be dangerous since it is not that safe in a unfrequented area in damn cold winter. Do use more public transportation (taxi) or contact local travel agency for traffic service. The hotel you stay will also be helpful finding you a driver if you are not confined inside the city.

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• What should I notice while traveling in Harbin?

  Winter in Harbin used to be bitter cold! As you visit the city on late January, temperatures there were about -18F (or -30C) with a sensation of about -40F (-40C) sometimes... during the evening and night. You need plenty of pullovers, gloves, socks, a good winter boot and a good jacket to "survive".

  Take also some medicine in the case of a unexpected cold. Of course, photo equipment resistant enough to work in such low temperatures... Some friends during the trip had problems with their cameras because they have simply frozen! Keep spare batteries, cell phones and cameras warm in case that it's too cold that they won't work.

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• May I speak English when traveling in Harbin?

  Yes. In Harbin, both Putonghua and English are the languages of bussiness. So, if you travel to China for business purpose, you can usually communicate with the chinese merchants in simple English. However, Putonghua is an official language of China. Most of the Chinese merely speak Putonghua with the outsiders. So, if you want to visit China but cannot speak Putonghua, you will find inconvenient. Therefore, it is essential and useful for you to learn some simple Putonghua when you decide to visit China.

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• What are some special festivals in Harbin?

  Ice Lantern Festival in Zhaolin Park (held from early January to late February) Harbin Music Festival, a 12-day event that takes place in July.

  Lantern Festival: It marks the end of the Chinese New Year Season. Lantern exhibits, lion and dragon dances, and eating Tang Yuan (ball-shaped boiled sweet rice dumplings with delicious stuffings) are events today. It is very much celebrated in the rural areas by farmers.

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• Here are some useful numbers

  • Ambulance: 120
  • Emergencies: 110
  • Fire: 119
  • Tel No. Enquiry: 114
  • Police: 110



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• Is Harbin time as same as Beijing time ?

  Yes. Harbin time is as same as Beijing time. In October, the sun gets up at 7:00 in the morning and at 17:30 it is dark. Most Malls are open untill 21:00. Diner starts at 17.00 but some restaurants stay open untill late in the evening.

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