St. Sophia Church is one of the most easily recognizable landmarks in China. It is the largest Eastern Orthodox Church in Asia, standing 53.3 meters (175 feet) high, and is said to be so beautiful it is "as if it had been made by God's hands".
The first St. Sophia Church was constructed from timber in 1907, but rebuilt in 1911 using both stone and timber. A third incarnation on the same spot was finished in 1932 built entirely from stone and was applauded as a great work of art. Over time, St. Sophia Church lost its place at the heart of Harbin and fell out of use completely: by the 1990s the magnificent murals had been allowed to crumble and the church was derelict. The government of Harbin began an extensive restoration campaign in 1997, which to date has returned the murals, lamps, onion dome & bell tower to their former glory.
Tips:
Photography is only permitted after purchasing a special ticket.
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