Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Beijing Church

Address: (Nantang) Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Beijing - central Beijing (Dongcheng)

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Nantang, South Church) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, established by Jesuit missionaries in the early 17th century. It is among the oldest Catholic churches in the city and serves as a major centre for Beijing’s Catholic community.

Architecturally the cathedral has been rebuilt and restored several times over its centuries of use; its compound includes the main church building, chapels and associated clerical buildings. It is visited for worship services and for its historical association with the Jesuit presence in China.

The original church was founded in 1605 by Jesuit missionaries; the site has subsequently been altered, repaired and rebuilt following periods of damage and changing political circumstances. It retains a continuous role as a parish cathedral.

The cathedral stands in central Beijing, in Dongcheng District near the Wangfujing shopping area and is accessible by public transport from central parts of the city.

• Central location: Located near Wangfujing in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, it is one of the oldest continuously established Catholic sites in the city, with a history tied to Jesuit missions.

Take Beijing Subway Line 5 to Dengshikou (灯市口) station and use the appropriate exit; the cathedral (the historic South Church / Nantang in Dongcheng) is a short walk of about 5-10 minutes from the station. From central Beijing (Tiananmen/Wangfujing area) a taxi is typically 10-20 minutes depending on traffic.