St. Michael's Church, Beijing

St. Michael's Church is a Gothic Revival church located in Beijing's Legation Quarter with distinctive twin spires visible from nearby streets. The building features ornate stained glass windows and stands at the intersection of Taijichang Toutiao and Dongjiaomin Xiang.

The church was built in 1901 as part of the French Legation and survived the Boxer Rebellion when many surrounding buildings were destroyed. This survival made it an important remnant of this turbulent period in Beijing's history.

The church reflects the meeting of Western and Chinese building styles, particularly visible in its auxiliary structures that incorporate local design elements. Visitors can experience this blend when exploring the entire complex.

The complex sits at a central intersection in the Legation Quarter, making it accessible on foot from nearby streets. Visitors should explore the interior during daylight hours and look for posted opening times at the entrance.

Unlike most Western churches, the building follows a north-south orientation instead of the traditional east-west alignment. This unusual positioning demonstrates adaptation to Beijing's layout and local spatial considerations.

Location: Beijing

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Part of: French legation in Beijing

GPS coordinates: 39.90127,116.40583

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:45