Travel back to the 19th century as you step onto the square in front of Guangzhou's Sacred Heart Cathedral. Apparently the largest all-granite church in the world, the Gothic cathedral, nicknamed the Stone House, 石室, was first constructed in the 1860s, led by French missionaries. At the time, its spires towered over the surrounding buildings and locals allegedly feared it would damage the feng shui of the area. Now it is dwarfed by nearby skyscrapers and cannot be seen from very far, but once on the square, it still dominates its immediate neighbourhood. It was damaged in the Second World War and used as a warehouse during the Cultural Revolution, but it has since been well restored, including new stained glass windows and a better quality roof. The sharp double spires have become a symbol of Guangzhou, featuring alongside Canton Tower and the Five Goats statue in Yuexiu Park in posters and advertising throughout the city. The cathedral is sometimes open for sightseeing or private prayer between mass, but the main gate seems to be open somewhat sporadically. The square outside the gate is the best place to view the whole façade though and is a popular spot for selfies in Old Canton. The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a short walk from Haizhu Square 海珠广场站 and Yidelu 一德路站 metro stations. Yide Road itself is home to many wholesalers offering everything from electronics to dried seahorses and is an interesting place for window shopping, and the north embankment of the Pearl River is only a short walk away. #qingmingtravel #urbanexplorer #lightthecity #guangzhou #canton #gothic #guangdong #china #historicallandmarks #sightseeing