St. Ignatius Cathedral
Church Historic Jesuit Catholic cathedral in Shanghai's Xujiahui
Located in Shanghai’s Xujiahui district, St. Ignatius Cathedral serves the city’s Catholic community; travelers notice its European church architecture and often pair a visit with nearby shops, cafés and the Xujiahui cultural quarter.
St. Ignatius Cathedral, commonly called Xujiahui Cathedral, is the Roman Catholic cathedral in Shanghai’s Xuhui District and is built in a Neo-Gothic style. The present stone structure was constructed by Jesuit missionaries and completed in the early 20th century.
The cathedral has twin towers and a nave typical of large Roman Catholic churches, serving as a central place of worship for Shanghai’s Catholic community. It contains liturgical furnishings and decorative stonework consistent with its period of construction.
Erected by the Jesuit mission in the late Qing and Republican eras, the building replaced earlier mission churches at Xujiahui and has been restored and maintained through the 20th and 21st centuries. It is the principal Roman Catholic church in Shanghai.
The cathedral stands in the Xujiahui area of Shanghai Municipality, near major roads and transport hubs in the city’s southwestern urban quarter.
- Alternate name and style: Also known as Xujiahui Cathedral, it was built by Jesuit missionaries and completed in the early 20th century in a Neo-Gothic style.
- Location note: Located in Shanghai's Xuhui District, close to Xujiahui commercial and transport hubs.
How to Get to St. Ignatius Cathedral #
Xujiahui is served by Shanghai Metro lines 1, 9 and 11 (Xujiahui station). From there, the cathedral is a short walk through the commercial district. Taxis to Xujiahui are common from central Shanghai neighborhoods.
Tips for Visiting St. Ignatius Cathedral #
- Visit early to avoid tour groups and to catch the morning light on the stained-glass windows.
- Stand beneath the transept and listen: the acoustics favor organists and choirs.
- Combine a visit with a stroll through the Xujiahui neighborhood to see the colonial-era Jesuit buildings nearby.
Best Time to Visit St. Ignatius Cathedral #
Best visited in spring or autumn to combine with other historic sites in Xujiahui and avoid summer humidity.
Weather & Climate near St. Ignatius Cathedral #
St. Ignatius Cathedral's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1076 mm/year), wettest in June.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (163 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (143 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (140 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (128 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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