Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Roman Catholic cathedral in Beijing, China
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a three-story stone building with gray brick walls, curved carvings, and colored glass windows that fill its interior with light. A large cross rises from the roof, marking the building's religious purpose from a distance.
The site was founded by Italian missionary Matteo Ricci in 1605, marking the beginning of Catholic presence in Beijing. The current Baroque structure was built in 1904 following decades of rebuilding and reconstruction.
The cathedral remains an active place of worship for Beijing's Catholic community, where regular masses bring together believers from across the city. Visitors can observe how this religious space connects people of faith within a diverse urban setting.
The building is open daily for visitors to explore at their own pace. Keep in mind that active religious services take place throughout the day, so respectful conduct is expected during worship times.
The church received imperial recognition in the early 1600s when a ruling emperor visited the site multiple times, an unusual honor for a foreign religion. This favor shows how much early missionaries had gained the respect of China's leadership at that time.
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