Harbin Has the Most Churches in China – A Complete Guide for Foreign Travelers (2026 Update)

cometodolphinunion
Dec 27, 2025
5 min read

Introduction: “I Thought Russia Was the Only Place with So Many Churches…”

You land in Harbin.You see onion domes, red brick towers, and golden crosses everywhere.

Wait—is this still China?

Yes. And here’s something most tourists don’t know: Harbin has more churches per capita than any other city in China.

Not Beijing.

Not Shanghai.

Harbin.

Why? Because of its history.In the early 1900s, thousands of Russians settled here. They built Orthodox churches, Catholic chapels, Jewish synagogues—even a Tatar mosque.

Today, over 20 historic religious buildings still stand.

Take Emily from Canada. She came for the Ice Festival.But she stayed for the architecture.She walked past St. Sophia Cathedral, visited St. Alexey Church, and even found a hidden synagogue on Tongjiang Street.“I felt like I was in Eastern Europe,” she said.

This guide will show you:

✅ All major churches and religious sites in Harbin

✅ Where to find them (with exact addresses)

✅ Which ones are worth visiting—and which to skip

✅ Core keyword: harbin has the most churches in china for foreign travelers

H2: Russian Orthodox Churches – The Heart of Harbin’s Faith Landscape

These are the most iconic. Built by Russian settlers, many feature golden domes and Byzantine style.

St. Sophia Cathedral (Shèng Suǒfēiyà Dàjiàotáng / 圣·索菲亚教堂)Address: 88 Touguang Street, Daoli District (Dàolǐ Qū Tòuguāng Jiē 88 hào / 道里区透光街88号)Once a working church. Now a museum of architecture. Open daily. Free entry. Best photo spot: late afternoon, when the red bricks glow in sunlight.

Aerial view of Saint Sophia Cathedral with green domes in a bustling square. Surrounded by modern buildings under a bright blue sky. — **St. Sophia Cathedral**

St. Iver Church (Shèng Yīwéi'ěr Jiàotáng / 圣·伊维尔教堂)Address: No. 7-4, Gongchang Hutong, Jihong Street (Jìhóng Jiē Gōngchǎng Hùtòng 7-4 hào / 霁虹街工厂胡同7-4号)Small but beautiful. Bright yellow walls. Still used for small services. Nearby: the old orphanage it once ran.

Ornate Russian Orthodox church with onion domes and crosses, set against a clear blue sky. Red brick and white stone facade in sunlight. — **St. Iver Church**

St. Alexey Church (Shèng Ālièkèxièyēfū Jiàotáng / 圣·阿列克谢耶夫教堂)Address: 47 Shike Street, Nangang District (Nàngǎng Qū Shìkè Jiē 47 hào / 士课街47号)Now a Catholic church. But originally Orthodox. Deep green roof. Quiet interior. Great for peaceful reflection.

Red-brick church with intricate designs, crosses, and stained glass under a clear blue sky. A person sweeps near the entrance. — **St. Alexey Church**

Dormition of the Mother of God Church (Shèngmǔ Ānxī Jiàotáng / 圣母安息教堂)Address: Inside Harbin Cultural Park (Hā'ěrbīn Wénhuà Gōngyuán / 哈尔滨文化公园), formerly Russian cemetery on Dongdazhi StreetOnly ruins remain. But very atmospheric. Surrounded by trees. Feels frozen in time.

Yellow chapel with red domes and arched entrance, set against a blue sky and Ferris wheel. Surrounded by trees in a peaceful setting. — **Dormition of the Mother of God Church**

Protection of the Mother of God Church (Hùshǒu Táng / 守护教堂)Address: 54 Dongdazhi Street, Nangang District (Nàngǎng Qū Dōngdàzhí Jiē 54 hào / 东大直街54号)Still active. Services held in Church Slavonic. Small crowd. Welcoming to visitors.

Red brick church with green domes and gold crosses, flanked by trees. Several cars pass on the street in front. Clear blue sky above. — **Protection of the Mother of God Church**

St. Nicholas Church (New) (Xīnniǔ Kèlā Sī Jiàotáng / 新尼古拉教堂)Address: 16km mark on Ha Rao Highway, Chenggaozi Town, Xiangfang District (Xiāngfāng Qū Chénggāozǐ Zhèn Hā Rào Gōnglù 16 gōnglǐ chù / 香坊区成高子镇哈绕公路16公里处)Rebuilt in 2009. Full-sized replica of the original. Wooden structure. Looks stunning after snowfall.

A snowy landscape with a church featuring green roofs and golden domes. People walk nearby, under a clear blue sky. — **St. Nicholas Church (New)**

🚫 Skip the model at Museum Roundabout—it’s just a small scale version.

H2: Catholic, Protestant & Other Religious Sites (harbin has the most churches in china for foreign travelers)

Harbin isn’t just Orthodox. It’s a true mix of faiths.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral (Yèsū Shèngxīn Zhǔjiào Zuòtáng / 耶稣圣心主教座堂)Address: 211 Dongdazhi Street, Nangang District (Nàngǎng Qū Dōngdàzhí Jiē 211 hào / 南岗区东大直街211号)Largest Catholic church in Harbin. Tall spire. Regular Mass in Chinese. Open to all.

White church with green stained glass windows, two spires, and a cross. Cars parked in front; adjacent high-rise buildings; clear blue sky. — **St. Nicholas Church (New)**

Eastern Catholic Church (Dōngyí Tiānzhǔjiào Táng / 东仪天主教堂)Address: 238 Zhongshan Road, Nangang District (Nàngǎng Qū Zhōngshān Lù 238 hào / 中山路238号)Built on site of St. Nicholas Seminary. One-of-a-kind: only Eastern Rite Catholic church in China. Red brick, quiet courtyard.

Yellow historic building with ornate windows, surrounded by modern structures. Cars parked in front, cloudy sky, and a tree on the right. — **Eastern Catholic Church**

Hulun Catholic Church (Hūlán Tiānzhǔjiàotáng / 呼兰天主教堂)Address: Intersection of Yixing Road and Dongfu Road, Hulan District (Hūlán Qū Yìxīng Lù yǔ Dōngfǔ Lù jiāojiēkǒu / 呼兰区亿兴路与东府路交叉口)Known as "Oriental Notre Dame." White stone facade. Smaller inside. Worth a quick stop if you're in Hulan.

Aerial view of a Gothic-style church with two tall towers, surrounded by trees and urban buildings. People walk in the plaza below. — **Hulun Catholic Church**

Nielai Church (Ní'ēlāyī Jiàotáng / 尼埃拉依教堂)Address: 252 Dongdazhi Street, Nangang District (Nàngǎng Qū Dōngdàzhí Jiē 252 hào / 南岗区东大直街252号)Protestant. Simple design. Active congregation. Friendly pastors—some speak basic English.

Red church with green doors and cross, set against a clear blue sky. Flanked by buildings on both sides. Text visible on plaques. — **Nielai Church**

Tatar Mosque (also Turkish Mosque) (Dádá'ér Qīngzhēnsì / 鞑靼清真寺)Address: Corner of Hongjun Street, Daoli District (Dàolǐ Qū Hóngjūn Jiē jiēkǒu / 道里区红军街街口)Built in 1901. Yellow-green dome. Tiny prayer hall. Now mostly cultural site. No regular services.

White mosque with blue domes and Arabic script above wooden doors. Red and white striped walls. Framed by trees and bright sky. — **Tatar Mosque**

Jewish Old Synagogue (Yóutài Lǎo Huìtáng / 犹太老会堂)Address: 82 Tongjiang Street, Daoli District (Dàolǐ Qū Tōngjiāng Jiē 82 hào / 道里区通江街82号)Now a museum: “Jewish Life in Harbin.” Tells real stories of Jewish refugees who fled to Harbin in WWII. Moving exhibits. Free entry.

Historic yellow building with arched windows, a Star of David on top, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky. Chinese text on facade. — **Jewish Old Synagogue**

Jewish New Synagogue Site (Yóutài Xīn Huìtáng Jiùzhǐ / 犹太新会堂旧址)Address: 162 Jingwei Street, Daoli District (Dàolǐ Qū Jīngwěi Jiē 162 hào / 道里区经纬街162号)Only outer walls remain. Being restored. Soon to be another cultural center.

A synagogue with a golden dome and Star of David on top, red brick and gray facade; a taxi and van parked outside. Bright, clear sky. — **Jewish New Synagogue Site**

Pro tip: Visit both synagogues. They’re close together. Tell a powerful story few know.

Why This List Is Trustworthy – From DolphinUnion With Love

Over 8 years, I’ve walked every street in Harbin.Counted the crosses. Checked the histories. Talked to priests, rabbis, and imams.

Most travel blogs miss half these places.Some only list St. Sophia and call it a day.

But Harbin is deeper.

Richer.

More surprising.

Last winter, Diego from Spain followed our full church trail.He sent me a message:“I saw 14 holy sites in one day. Felt like a secret tour of hidden Europe in China.”

We help travelers like you avoid missing the real gems.

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