Daijiazhuang Catholic Church in Jining

　　Daijiazhuang Church is situated in Lijing Town, Rencheng District, and is a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit. It was originally the villa of Dai Jian, a famous painter from Jining in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, which was later sold to Li Shu, an official of the Qing Dynasty, who turned it into a private garden. The present-day Daijiazhuang Garden includes the Jin Garden and the church buildings, forming a uniquely well-preserved and comprehensive religious architectural complex in China. This includes the clergy cemetery, the main church, a monastery, the priests’ office building, the nuns’ building, and a bell tower. Among them, Daijiazhuang Church was established in 1883 (the ninth year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty) by the German Catholic priest Father Josef Freinademetz. It served as a missionary hub in southwestern Shandong and has had a significant impact both domestically and internationally. Strolling through the entire garden offers a delightful experience of ever-changing scenery — embodying the refined elegance of southern gardens and the solemn grandeur of northern gardens. Set against the backdrop of surrounding Western-style architecture, it presents a unique blend that harmonizes both northern and southern styles, as well as Chinese and Western elements.

　　Address: Lijing Subdistrict Office, Rencheng District, Jining City

　　Recommended visiting time: About 1 hour