Dongjiadu Lu Catholic Church

Off Shanghai’s beaten path – Dongjiadu Catholic Church

Shanghai has historic buildings aplenty, but it is very rare to have the opportunity to peek inside them. Churches however can be a different story and Shanghai has many fabulous examples. Recently Spy Shanghai visited Dongjiadu Lu Catholic Church. Beautiful, historic, AND open to the public (services are regularly held here in Chinese, or you may visit outside these times if you ring in advance) it is well worth a visit for a look inside this grand old treasure.

Located in the southern part of the old Chinese city, Dongjiadu Tianzhutang was the first large cathedral and the first foreign built catholic church in Shanghai. Built in 1853, it is in the early Spanish baroque style. Apparently it is a copy of a European Jesuit Church, and has fabulous arched roofs, thick pillars, and lotus-designed bas-reliefs inside. Chinese text features prominently on both the inside and outside walls, and four of the bells are supposedly still original.

Across the road a beautiful old French mansion is worth a look too, although sadly you can’t go inside.

Where: 185 Dongjiadu Lu, Nanshi (west of Zhongshan Nan Lu), Shanghai