The Hagia Sophia Cathedral was first built in 1907 and is currently one of the relatively well preserved Byzantine style buildings in China. It was renamed as the "Harbin Architectural Art Museum" in 1997, but both locals and tourists prefer to call it the "Hagia Sophia Cathedral".
The most eye-catching part of this church is the full and huge onion shaped dome, which is a typical Russian architectural style roof form that is magnificent and comparable to the Vasily Cathedral in Moscow. The walls of the church are made of plain red bricks, and there are four different sized tent roofs around the large dome. The floors below the four roofs are connected by stairs, and there are four doors in front, back, left, and right of the entire church.
After the church was converted into an art gallery, internal renovations were carried out, showcasing nearly a thousand pictures and urban planning sand tables, reflecting the history, current situation, and future of the famous city of Harbin. However, after the renovation, the original layout was changed and the function as a church has disappeared.
The square in front of the church has a "Square Dove" and a large music fountain, where many people like to take wedding photos. Compared to the daytime, the night view of the church is more beautiful. Whenever night falls, under the backdrop of lights, the church appears even more majestic and mysterious, full of exotic charm. In winter, when the snow falls everywhere, the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in the snow is like a castle in a fairy tale, very dreamy.
Address:No. 88, Toulong Street, Daoli District, Harbin City
Telephone:0451-87657197
Opening Hours:Closed every Monday, morning visit time 9:00-1130, afternoon concert 13:00/15:30/18:30, three sessions each lasting about 30 minutes
Admission ticket:CNY15