Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The heyday of Eastern Orthodoxy in Shanghai was in 1931, after Japan invaded China's northeast. At that time, foreign Orthodox Christians from across the country gathered in Shanghai, and there were as many as seven churches. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, most foreign nationals left the country, and the number of Orthodox believers gradually dwindled. Only the Xinle Road church remains and is still very well preserved.

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Shanghai is an Eastern Orthodox church designed in the ancient Russian style. Built in 1931, the church has been fully renovated and can accommodate up to 4,000 people, making it the largest Eastern Orthodox church in Shanghai. The interior walls of the church are simple, but hidden within the arches and adjacent wall areas are nine exquisite oil murals that had been buried under layers of paint during past renovations. Thanks to restoration efforts, these nine beautiful murals, obscured by multiple coats of paint for nearly half a century, have now regained their former splendor.

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located at the intersection of Huaihai Road (now 55 Xinle Road) and Xiangyang North Road in Shanghai’s bustling downtown area. The church features a classic, rounded design, topped with a large central dome and four smaller domes at the corners, all painted in beautiful peacock blue. These contrast beautifully with the creamy white walls, creating a magnificent sight under the blue sky and white clouds. The church also occasionally hosts exhibitions.

The heyday of Eastern Orthodoxy in Shanghai was in 1931, after Japan invaded China's northeast. At that time, foreign Orthodox Christians from across the country gathered in Shanghai, and there were as many as seven churches. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, most foreign nationals left the country, and the number of Orthodox believers gradually dwindled. Today, only the Xinle Road church in Shanghai remains and is still very well preserved.

Transportation: Take bus 94 to its terminal stop on Xiangyang North Road, or take Metro Line 1 to South Shaanxi Road Station. Also accessible via buses 02, 24, 41, 42, 45, 104, 128, 831, 835, 911, 920, 926, Tourist Bus 7, and Metro Line 10.

Address: 55 Xinle Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai

Type: Church

Recommended visiting time: About 1 hour

Ticket information:

Free admission.