Wangfujing Catholic Church

Wangfujing Catholic Church

Wangfujing Catholic Church is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Wangfujing Catholic Church, commonly known as the East Church, also called St. Joseph’s Church or Bamiancao Church, is located at No. 74 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing. It was the second church built by Jesuits in the urban area of Beijing after Xuanwumen Catholic Church.

It is one of the Four Great Catholic Churches of Beijing. The church was established by two missionaries: the Italian Lodovico Buglio and the Portuguese João da Costa. In the late Ming Dynasty, the two preached in Sichuan. In the early Qing Dynasty, they were captured by Qing soldiers and brought to Beijing, where they served in the Prince Su’s Mansion. In the 12th year of the Shunzhi reign (1655), the Kangxi Emperor granted them a residence and a vacant lot (the current site), where they built a church on the open land. This became the second church in Beijing (the first being the South Church), and also the earliest East Church. In the courtyard of the East Church, the main Catholic church faces west and is situated to the east, consisting of around 30 rooms. Three crosses stand atop the roof, with the central one being the largest and the side ones smaller. The church is supported by 18 round brick pillars, and its walls feature several oil paintings, including depictions of the Crucifixion of Jesus. To the south and west of the church are classrooms, and to the east lies a yard that includes flower beds, single-story buildings, and multi-story structures, which serve as the priests’ residences. The East Church once housed many holy paintings created by the court painter Giuseppe Castiglione, but these were lost in a fire in the 12th year of the Jiaqing reign (1807). In 1884, a Romanesque-style grand church was rebuilt, but it was burned down again during the Boxer Rebellion. In 1904, it was reconstructed using funds from the “Boxer Indemnity” (a joint project by France and Ireland), resulting in the current East Church. The main structure in the church courtyard still faces west and sits to the east, spanning 25 meters in width, with approximately 30 rooms. It is built upon a bluestone foundation, and three crosses rise from its roof—large in the center, smaller on the sides. Eighteen round brick pillars, each 65 cm in diameter with square bases, support the interior. The walls are adorned with several oil paintings, including scenes of the Crucifixion of Jesus. The site covers nearly 10,000 square meters and is a key cultural relic protected by Dongcheng District. The northern section of Beijing’s Wangfujing Street has undergone renovation, during which the previously mysterious walls surrounding the church were removed, drawing public attention. The gray European-style spired building appears even more mysterious due to its age, while the newly paved square in front, surrounded by greenery, exudes a strong humanistic charm. Against the backdrop of the surrounding modern architecture, Wangfujing Catholic Church has become a new highlight along the street. The church’s square, covering over 8,000 square meters, has been fully paved, with benches placed along both sides for pedestrians to rest. To the south of the church lies a 1,000-plus-square-meter green space—the largest on Wangfujing Street—which is about to be unveiled. It will be a three-dimensional garden planted with flowers, shrubs, and trees. Dominated by roses, it is aptly named the Rose Garden. A man-made spring that flows from the Rose Garden has been named the “Cascade Spring” because it tumbles down in layers along the southern edge of the square. The entire church square is elevated more than one meter above ground level, adding to its distinctiveness. It is said that, designed entirely in the style of a Western Catholic church, there will also be a wine cellar beneath the Rose Garden.

Against this backdrop, Wangfujing Catholic Church has become a new attraction on this bustling street. The over 8,000-square-meter square in front of the church has been paved, with benches on both sides for pedestrians to rest. On the south side of the church, the largest green space on Wangfujing Street—covering more than 1,000 square meters—is set to debut soon. It will be a three-dimensional garden planted with flowers, shrubs, and trees. Dominated by roses, it has a lovely name: the Rose Garden. A man-made spring flows out from the Rose Garden and, as it cascades down along the southern edge of the square, is called the "Cascading Spring." The entire church square is raised over one meter above ground level, making it even more distinctive. It is said that, designed entirely in the style of a Western Catholic church, there will also be a wine cellar beneath the Rose Garden.

Beijing’s Wangfujing Church is a Roman-style building and a fine example of the fusion of Chinese and Western architectural styles. Despite being located in a bustling area, it retains an aura of sanctity. During holidays, if you walk by unintentionally, the rich tones of the pipe organ and the sunlit voices of the choir can often be heard emanating from within, resonating in the winter air.

Transportation Tips

Take bus routes 103, 104, 803, or 814 to Dong’an Market Station, then walk 300 meters north along the east side of the road.

Take Metro Line 5 to Dengshikou Station, then walk 300 meters west along Baishu Hutong.