Sophia Square

Established in 1997, Sophia Square, covering 22,000 square meters, is located on the south bank of the beautiful Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, in the bustling heart of Harbin. It is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. The square comprises three main areas: St. Sophia Cathedral, the New Synagogue, and the Architectural Art Plaza. The square's landmark, St. Sophia Cathedral, is China's best-preserved example of Byzantine architecture. The entire square embodies the beauty of music and the brilliance of architectural wisdom.

Sophia Square, centered around the church, features numerous European-style landscape architecture, including an art brick gallery, a steel tower gallery, and a triumphal arch. The square also boasts a series of large musical fountains, cascading water features, and a large, retractable European-style "lampstand." Nearby, there's also the large New 100 Shopping Center and a small commodity wholesale market where you can buy warm gear. I regretted bringing so much gear; Harbin's local hats and gloves are both affordable and stylish.

This square is open to the public free of charge and is located in the bustling area of Harbin's city center. It consists of three parts: St. Sophia Cathedral, the New Synagogue (the largest synagogue in China), and the Architectural Art Square (surrounded by many European-style landscape buildings such as St. Sophia Cathedral, the Art Brick Gallery, the Steel Tower Gallery, and the Arc de Triomphe). It is estimated that it attracts countless tourists every year.

The architecture and landscape surrounding Hagia Sophia Square are unique and imbued with a European flair. The centerpiece of the square is the imposing and exquisite Hagia Sophia. Its walls are entirely constructed of plain red brick, and a massive, full-bodied onion dome atop the tower dominates four wings of varying sizes, forming a master-slave layout. Stairs connect the four floors, and four entrances are located in the front, back, left, and right.

📖Entertainment arrangements:

It is recommended to go to Central Street during the day and arrive at this square 2 hours before sunset to check in the daytime, blues and night scenes, which are very photogenic.

⭐Experience highlights:

The majestic and magnificent St. Sophia Cathedral is a historical witness to the Tsarist Russia's invasion of Northeast China.

At the top of the main gate is a bell tower. The seven bronze bells represent exactly seven musical notes. Every hour, a well-trained bell ringer uses his hands and feet to strike out the ups and downs of the bells.

The square where the Hagia Sophia is located is about 1 km northwest of Harbin Railway Station. Admission to the square is free.

Different styles, no need to visit too much, just take a walk

Unfortunately, the church is under renovation and cannot be visited, and the covered bridge cannot be entered, so you can only look at it from the outside.

Sophia Square Sophia Square Sophia Square

It was a photo-taking spot when I came here in March. I met a girl wearing a tube-top wedding dress and took pictures with her. She was so beautiful.

Very old Russian-style building, it is recommended to go at night for better beauty. The surrounding commercial areas are very convenient.

Unfortunately, when I went there, the church was being renovated inside, so I could only walk around the outside. It was a bit of a pity. If it were open, I would still recommend going there.

Sophia Square is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction located in the bustling area of Harbin City Center and is a landmark building in Harbin.

There are many Russian classical buildings here, and the center is the Sophia Cathedral. Unfortunately, it is no longer a church and has been converted into an exhibition.

Sophia Square is located outside the Sophia Cathedral in Harbin. It was newly built in 1997 and is quite large. It is not easy to build such a large square in the center of Harbin. It is said that there are many pigeons here, and you can feed them after visiting the cathedral. Unfortunately, I didn't see any of them during the days I was there.

Surrounded by buildings, the square is not big, much smaller than expected. But the church is really impressive. It is magnificent during the day and very magical under the lights at night. It should be noted that the lights are turned off after 10 pm, and there is nothing to see in the dark. It is easy to find angles to take pictures from the north, west, and south. There is a KFC nearby, where you can sit inside and quietly look at the church, which is very comfortable. It is about a 1 km walk from Central Street. You can walk there.

I got up early in the morning to take pictures of Hagia Sophia. The square was very fresh.

Hagia Sophia Square is a square built around Hagia Sophia that integrates tourism and shopping. Surrounding it are small commodity wholesale markets and the New 100 Shopping Center. Two blocks away is the famous Central Street, a must-visit place for checking in.

Sophia Square is surrounded by Russian-style buildings, and the Sophia Cathedral next to it attracts countless tourists to visit.

Established in 1997, Sophia Square, covering 22,000 square meters, is located on the south bank of the beautiful Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, in the bustling heart of Harbin. It is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. The square comprises three parts: St. Sophia Cathedral, the New Synagogue, and the Architectural Art Plaza. In September 1997, St. Sophia Cathedral was restored, and with the approval of the Harbin Municipal Government, it was named the Harbin Architectural Art Museum, under the Harbin Municipal Urban and Rural Construction Committee.

Established in 1997, Sophia Square, covering 22,000 square meters, is located on the south bank of the beautiful Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, in the bustling heart of Harbin. It is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. The square comprises three parts: St. Sophia Cathedral, the New Synagogue, and the Architectural Art Plaza. In September 1997, St. Sophia Cathedral was restored, and with the approval of the Harbin Municipal Government, it was named the Harbin Architectural Art Museum, under the Harbin Municipal Urban and Rural Construction Committee.

The square consists of three parts: St. Sophia Church, the New Synagogue, and the Architectural Art Plaza. The iconic St. Sophia Church is China's best-preserved example of Byzantine architecture and a landmark of Harbin. Surrounding the square are numerous European-style landmarks, including St. Sophia Church, the Art Brick Gallery, the Steel Tower Gallery, and the Arc de Triomphe. The square also features a series of large musical fountains, cascading water features, and a large, retractable European-style "lampstand." During major holidays, the sacred flame is lit, creating a truly stunning photo opportunity.

It is said that Hagia Sophia has high historical and cultural value and architectural art appreciation value. I wanted to see it, but it was under maintenance, so I missed the chance to see it and will come back with regret.

The church is under repair, but the square is nice. The night view is even better at night, and there is a fountain.

Located on the south bank of the beautiful Songhua River in Harbin, in the bustling area of Harbin's city center, Sophia Square is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The square in front of Hagia Sophia is surrounded by shops and restaurants, and there are many tourists taking a rest.

I checked in here, but since Hagia Sophia is closed, I can only wander around here. It's okay.

The square is not big, just a general landmark

When we went there, the Hagia Sophia was closed for renovations, so all we could see was the small square. Well, I can only say that the McDonald's was quite unique.

Located in the bustling heart of Harbin, Sophia Square is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. It comprises three parts: St. Sophia Cathedral, the New Synagogue, and the Architectural Art Plaza.

A few photos I took when the car stopped while on a group tour.

Harbin's landmark building is a must-see for tourists. It houses the famous Hagia Sophia.

Right next to Hagia Sophia. The building is built in harmony with the church.

Harbin is a city with a strong Russian style. From the beautiful Russian girls on Central Street and the Russian uncles selling bread, to this square, it reaches its peak. It really feels like a small Red Square. The characteristics are the characteristics. The attractions that are not available in other places will make people unforgettable and stay in the memory of the brain for a long time.

The square is home to the St. Sophia Cathedral. Pigeons dance across the square during the day, and at night the cathedral is bathed in a dim glow. The fountain next door sprays water regularly.

Sofia is very beautiful under the lights at night. However, you can't set off fireworks here, probably because there are no firefighters to watch.

The Hagia Sophia is quite beautiful when it is lit up at night.

My favorite is the peace doves in Sophia Square (you can buy corn to feed them). The doves sit quietly on the mottled red bricks of the church, and the stark contrast of red and white adds a touch of sacredness to the church. At night, under the lights, the church takes on a different kind of beauty.

The night is beautiful. I just don't appreciate the beauty of the day.

Watching pigeons flying high is definitely a good choice.

Sophia Square is close to Harbin No. 100 and Central Street. I always come to this area every time I go to Harbin.

It's a very beautiful place. Harbin is a very beautiful city. It is decorated with ice and snow everywhere, full of exotic customs. I visited it during a few days and it was worth the trip.

The Hagia Sophia is not as big as imagined. It is like a small castle in a fairy tale world in the square. Inside is a photo exhibition of old Harbin, which is quite beautiful.

Sophia Square connects the central pedestrian street and the Flood Control Memorial Tower

The square is not very big, but it is clean and tidy. The metal clock tower sculpture is quite distinctive.

Right next to Hagia Sophia, there are some specialty shops and restaurants that are mainly built for the cathedral.

Established in 1997, Sophia Square, covering 50,000 square meters, is located on the south bank of the beautiful Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, in the bustling heart of Harbin. It is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. The square comprises three parts: St. Sophia Cathedral, the New Synagogue, and the Architectural Art Plaza. In September 1997, St. Sophia Cathedral was restored. With the approval of the Harbin Municipal Government, it was renamed the Harbin Architectural Art Museum, under the jurisdiction of the Harbin Municipal Urban and Rural Construction Committee.

The square's landmark, St. Sophia Cathedral, is China's best-preserved example of Byzantine architecture. Nearly a century old, this building is brimming with enchanting color. Its murals, chandeliers, bell tower, dome, and choir all showcase a rich tapestry of cultural heritage and ingenious artistic expression, making it a truly remarkable historical and cultural landmark. Its grand scale rivals that of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, and its exquisite form rivals that of Notre Dame in Paris. Its imposing dome and elegant, simple wall decorations evoke a sense of local charm. The entire square embodies the beauty of music and the brilliance of architectural wisdom.



Harbin Architecture Art Plaza, covering 22,000 square meters and having undergone three renovations and expansions, is a large, comprehensive plaza integrating tourism, leisure and entertainment, dining, shopping, and events. Surrounding the plaza are numerous European-style landmarks, including the St. Sophia Church, the Art Brick Gallery, the Steel Tower Gallery, and the Arc de Triomphe. The plaza features a series of large musical fountains, cascading water features, and a large, retractable European-style "lampstand." During major holidays, a "holy flame" is lit. The plaza is also equipped with three high-powered snowmaking machines, creating a unique "snow fountain" spectacle in winter.

It is very Russian in style, very beautiful, and looks very spectacular from below. The design and decoration inside are very exquisite, and the photos taken are particularly beautiful.

Sophia Cathedral is a landmark building in Harbin and a must-see attraction in Harbin.

Very unique landscape, the night view is more beautiful

It's very close to the Sophia Cathedral. The scenery is average. After all, it's free and worth seeing.

Sophia Cathedral is here, it feels very central

There are many shopping malls and restaurants nearby, as well as a market. There are also public transportation nearby, and it is not far from Central Street.

So the location is very good

The church is beautiful both during the day and at night.

Must check in~

easy to go around, have underground shopping, center of the city,

With an Eastern European style, St. Sophia Cathedral is a famous landmark building in Harbin. Construction began in March 1907 and it was originally the military church of the 4th Infantry Division of East Siberia of the Tsarist Russia. It was rebuilt on the current site in September 1923 and completed on November 25, 1932. After its completion, St. Sophia Cathedral was deeply influenced by the Byzantine architectural style and is a typical representative of modern European architecture in Harbin.

At my wife's strong request, we traveled to the Ice City in winter. It was really cold.

It was snowing when I went there. There were people selling Madiel popsicles and candied haws in the square, and there were also many peace doves.

A classic attraction, it's free to enter without going inside, and the square environment is also good.

A small landmark in Harbin, with lots of pigeons next to it.

The fountain behind the square is beautiful! Against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds

A landmark building, a must-see attraction in Harbin.

It is recommended to live nearby so that you can go out and take pictures of the night view when it is quiet at night.

You need to buy a ticket to enter the church. It's not a big place, but it displays photos about Harbin's history. It's optional. It depends on your personal interests.

The church and the square are smaller than expected. There are a lot of people. The night view is beautiful.

It's worth a visit, but the surrounding planning is poor, which affects the beauty of the church.

Because it is close to the north, there are inevitably some Russian-style people and things. St. Sophia Cathedral was built by the Russian Empire in 1907, but the church was closed in 1958 and is now listed as a protected building.

Square, Russian chocolate, ice cream, candied haws, all are great

Came here at night ~ just to visit the building ~ ~

Established in 1997, Sophia Square, located in the bustling heart of Harbin, covers 50,000 square meters and is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. The square comprises three main areas: St. Sophia Cathedral, the New Synagogue, and the Architectural Art Plaza. Construction began in March 1907 as a military chapel for the 4th East Siberian Infantry Division of Tsarist Russia during the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway. The all-wood structure, covering 721 square meters and standing 53.35 meters tall, features a Latin cross layout, a typical Byzantine architectural style.

I went there in the summer, and there were a lot of people taking pictures. It seemed that you could buy a ticket to enter the church. On one side of the square, there were many people painting portraits for tourists. The prices were not cheap, of course, in my opinion. When I had nothing to do, I always went there to sit, and there were still customers.

In comparison, I personally think that the night view of the church is more beautiful, and there are many hostels and hotels nearby, so there are more choices. But if you want to see beautiful women, you should choose daytime!

A must-see in Harbin, as the Sophia Cathedral is located here, and it is worth visiting both during the day and at night.

Walk around the square and feel the Russian style. It’s really cold in winter.

I didn't go in, but the square is very beautiful and the surrounding area is quite prosperous.

Very beautiful. It feels very clean and bright at first glance. The blue sky and white clouds are matched with the retro buildings. It feels full

There were also quite a lot of people at Sophia Square, because after all, everyone who came to Harbin wanted to go to the church. We lived very close to the church, and it was only a few steps away. Because it was cold, everyone had to be careful not to slip after a few steps.

It has a strong Tsarist Russian style and is magnificent, making it a worthy landmark building in Harbin.

It's right next to the Hagia Sophia. The weather was great that day and the scenery was beautiful.

The Hagia Sophia is the most perfectly preserved example of a Byzantine-style building in China and a landmark in Harbin. This nearly century-old structure is magnificent, simple, and elegant, making it a must-see.

This is an undisputed Harbin landmark. If you don't come here, you've wasted your trip to Harbin. I have to say, charging 15 yuan for admission is a bit inappropriate.

It's a very unique place. It doesn't feel like China. I went there during the evening rush hour. It was very congested and I couldn't get a taxi around. It slightly affected my experience.

The building is quite unique and you can take good photos.