Saint Sophia Cathedral, Harbin

하얼빈 성 소피아 성당

Saint Sophia Cathedral is a former Russian Orthodox church in the Daoli district of Harbin, in northeast China. It is 53.3 metres tall and has a huge green-tipped dome. The building is red brick, laid out like a cross, and is a fine example of Russian Revival architecture. Today it is no longer a working church.

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At a glance

Country: China
Location: Harbin, China
Built: 1932
Height: 53 m
Type: Religious building

Quick answers

Where is Saint Sophia Cathedral, Harbin?

Saint Sophia Cathedral, Harbin is in Harbin, China.

When was Saint Sophia Cathedral, Harbin built?

Saint Sophia Cathedral, Harbin was built in 1932.

How tall is Saint Sophia Cathedral, Harbin?

Saint Sophia Cathedral, Harbin is about 53 m tall.

A red-brick Russian-Byzantine church with a great green onion dome, symbol of Harbin’s Russian heritage.

It is famous because it is a reminder of Harbin's Russian past. When it was completed in 1932 it was hailed as the largest Orthodox church in the Far East. In bright sun, the church and its square look a bit like Red Square in Moscow.

Why is there a Russian church in China?

After the Trans-Siberian Railway was completed in 1903, many Russians came to Harbin. In 1921 the city had 300,000 people, of whom 100,000 were Russians. A wooden church was built in March 1907 for the Russian army's morale. The present building was started with a cornerstone ceremony on 23 September 1923 and was finished on 25 November 1932, nine years later.

From warehouse to landmark

After 1949 Russian churches were handed over to Chinese control. The cathedral was closed from the Great Leap Forward through the Cultural Revolution. Its sturdy walls survived, and the empty hull became a store's warehouse. Concrete high-rises were built right up to its walls, hiding it from the street for decades. In 1996 it was designated a national cultural heritage site, and it has since been restored.

Fun facts

It is said to be the largest Orthodox church in the Far East.
It is 53.3 metres tall and covers 721 square metres.
When finished in 1932 it was called the largest Orthodox church in the Far East.
In 1921 about a third of Harbin's 300,000 people were Russian.