[2025 Chengdu Attraction] Travel Guide for Ping'anqiao Catholic Church (Updated Feb)

Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church is a stunning space where Chinese and Western architectural styles blend harmoniously. The exterior features red pillars and tiled roofs that highlight the beauty of traditional Chinese architecture, while the interior combines Western-style arches and large wooden pillars to create a vintage atmosphere. The serene interior of the church is particularly suitable for quiet prayer and contemplation, bringing a sense of peace to the mind. The scenery of ginkgo trees turning yellow with the seasons is also impressive. Despite the vicissitudes of history, this place has been relatively well-preserved and holds value not just as a religious facility but as a cultural heritage. It feels even more special to find such a tranquil space in the midst of a modern city. It is also a great place to enjoy a leisurely walk and take photos.

Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church, built in 1896, is a representative building in southwestern China that combines Chinese and Western architectural styles, with historical and cultural significance. After the Church Incident during the Qing Dynasty, this church was designed and rebuilt by a French missionary, skillfully blending elements of traditional Chinese architecture with classical Roman church styles. The exterior features green bricks and tiled roofs, reflecting the aesthetics of Chinese architecture, while the interior is highlighted by Western-style arches and columns. Inside the spacious church, 108 massive cedar columns are orderly arranged. Despite wars, earthquakes, and the Cultural Revolution, this place has been relatively well-preserved and is now designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit in China. It stands as a unique space where historical verification and the beauty of religious art coexist.

Chengdu's century-old church｜Ping'an Bridge Church｜Holy and quiet ⛪There is a century-old church hidden on Xihuamen Street in Chengdu, It has the solemnity and sanctity of the West, It also has the elegance and charm of China. The architectural style of Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church is unique, combining Chinese and Western styles. The exterior is similar to traditional Chinese architecture, while the interior is Byzantine style. It is a well-preserved Chinese and Western architectural complex in Southwest China. Its architecture reflects the combination of Western Catholic religious culture and local culture in Chengdu, and also demonstrates the inclusiveness of Chengdu. The Catholic Church is not only a religious building, but also a cultural treasure and a witness to history. It witnesses the integration and collision of Chinese and Western cultures, and also carries rich history and culture. The simple and elegant architecture, the quiet and sacred atmosphere, let you calm down, sincerely feel and be grateful. 📍Address: No. 25, Xihuamen Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu 🚇Transportation: Take Metro Line 1 to Luomashi Station, exit D, and then walk 🕰️Opening hours: 7:30–17:00 🎫Tickets: Free 🕰️Mass time: 7:30, 16:00 Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church

⛪️: Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church 🎟️: Free 📍: No. 25, Xihuamen Street, Qingyang District 🅿️: No parking lot The largest century-old Catholic church in Chengdu Built in 1904, it has survived through the chaos of war and still bathes in holy light today. The garden at the back has a Republican era style The church still holds Mass activities When there are no Mass activities, you can enter the church for a visit ⚠️ Please dress appropriately when entering the church

After the demolition of Xihuamen Street, the old houses of ordinary residents are no longer visible, but it is still worth a visit because on the left is the Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church (photos 1-6), and on the right is the Mohe Pool Ruins Park (photos 7-9). Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church: According to historical records, this church was built in 1897 by French Bishop Luo Shuya. Craftsmen were gathered from the suburban counties of Chengdu such as Chongzhou, Dayi, and Qionglai, and it took 7 years to complete. This church not only has the magnificent style of European Catholic churches but also incorporates local Chengdu architectural styles, featuring a blend of Chinese and Western elements. It is currently the best-preserved 'Byzantine' architectural complex in Chengdu, with very high historical and cultural value. Mohe Pool Ruins Park: Mohe Pool was first built in the second year of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty (585 AD). Initially, it was a large pit left from the excavation of soil when Yang Xiu, the governor of Yizhou in the Sui Dynasty, built the sub-city of Chengdu. Yang Xiu expanded the pit area based on the sub-city of Chengdu. During the Tang Dynasty, water accumulated and connected with canals, becoming a tourist attraction. In the fifth year of the Yongping era of the Shu Kingdom (915 AD), Mohe Pool was incorporated into the palace gardens. In the third year of the Republic of China (1914), Mohe Pool was completely filled and used as a military training ground. Currently, the park is divided into seven parts: Liurao Terrace, Mohe Yicui, Strolling Flower Path, Palace Wall Ruins Display, Ginkgo Garden, Hibiscus Pavilion, and Mohe Pool Evolution. These seven attractions tell different historical stories, allowing people to feel the thousand-year history of Mohe Pool.

The Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church in Chengdu, as a Byzantine-style building with a hundred years of history, not only serves as a holy place for religious activities, but also an important symbol of the city's cultural heritage. The Chengdu Ping'an Catholic Church is located in the core area of Chengdu city, adjacent to the northwest side of Tianfu Square's Xihuamen Street (formerly Ping'an Bridge Street). This church is the heart of the Catholic diocese in Chengdu, where the cathedral is located. Its architectural style blends classic and elegant, showcasing the appearance of traditional European churches and profound religious implications. The Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church is not just a place for Catholic believers to pray and gather, its unique architectural aesthetics and artistic value also make it a landmark building in Chengdu. Despite being surrounded by the bustling city center, the Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church can maintain tranquility and dignity, providing a space for the fast-paced city residents to pause, look up at the sky, and contemplate.

In the center of Chengdu, there is a hidden Catholic church⛪, It has the simplicity and elegance of western Sichuan residences, and the retro and art of European architecture, This largest church⛪ in Chengdu has a hundred years of history, but time seems to have stopped here. - ⛪Coordinates: Ping'an Bridge Cathedral 🔍Address: Near Tianfu Square on Xihuamen Street / Accessible by Metro Line 1.4 🕰️Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7:30-17:00, all day on weekends; - ❤️Travel tips ✔The exterior of the church is beautiful (square + statue of the Virgin), it is very easy to take pictures with a European feel; ✔You can visit inside the church but no photography📸; ✔Dress appropriately, otherwise you may not be able to enter; ✔The east gate is temporarily closed, you need to enter from the west gate next to the church⛪ coffee; - 📸Photo outfit suggestions: ①European retro style will appear high-end; ②National style will show temperament; ③Pair it with a delicate bag👜 with national intangible cultural heritage brocade;

Located on Xihuamen Street (formerly Ping'an Bridge Street) in the northwest corner of Tianfu Square in Chengdu, there is a group of simple and elegant Byzantine-style buildings - Ping'an Bridge Cathedral. This is where the bishop's office of the Catholic Diocese of Chengdu is located. In March 2013, Chengdu Ping'an Bridge Cathedral was announced by the State Council as the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Ping'an Bridge Cathedral covers an area of nearly 30 acres, with a building area of 8508 square meters, and is currently the largest Catholic church in Chengdu. In 1897, Bishop Luo Shuya of France began to build it by recruiting craftsmen from Chongzhou, Dayi, and Qionglai in the suburbs of Chengdu. It took 7 years to complete. The Ping'an Bridge Cathedral includes large and small churches, the Immaculate Conception Church, and the bishop's office. The church is in the shape of a '十', the bishop's office is in the shape of a '束', and the entire building complex is in the shape of a '悚', with a unique shape, simple and elegant. That day, while I was shooting the exterior of the church, a manager politely invited me to visit. Because of the time, and I didn't study Catholicism, I politely declined the gentleman's kindness. As for what the inside of the church looks like, I never knew, and I felt quite regretful afterwards.

Isolated from the hustle and bustle of the world, meet with the inner self. Hope we are not defined by the secular, as free as the wind. Today, let's embark on the journey of Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church together. Stepping into the church, it's like being in another world, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here, every inch of space is filled with tranquility and sanctity. The sunlight shines through the colorful rose windows, like the holy light shining, each bench carries the joys and sorrows of the world. This Catholic Church is one of the largest buildings in Chengdu, built in 1904 during the Guangxu period, designed and constructed by French priests, the combination of Chinese and Western styles is eye-catching. It has experienced countless storms, including the Sichuan Army Lane War in 1932, the Diexi Earthquake in 1933, and the Japanese bombing in 1939, but it still stands tall, witnessing the vicissitudes of history. Inside the church, on those mottled benches, perhaps a pair of lovers have made vows, perhaps a family has gathered together. Now, may God favor, treat everyone who comes here gently with his love. The tips here are worth noting: When visiting the church, please do not wear straps or short skirts, hats and glasses need to be taken off in advance. The detailed information of the church is as follows: 📍Address: Ping'an Bridge Catholic Church 🎫Ticket: Free 🚇Transportation: Take Line 1 or Line 4 to Luomashi Station, Exit A 🕘Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7:30—17:00, open all day on weekends There are also places worth visiting nearby, such as Maha Pond and Donghua Gate Ruins Park. This is not only the location of the Catholic Church, but also a historical and cultural relic in the urban area of Chengdu. This is not just a building, but a carrier of a story, a witness to a period of history. Here, you can put down worldly troubles, be alone with yourself, and listen to the voice of your heart. Hope we can all be as free as the wind, not defined, enjoy every moment of life.

The Ping’an Bridge Catholic Church is the largest Catholic Church in #chengdu and was built in 1904. The exterior colors have faded a bit and unfortunately we were not able to go inside. Sculptures of the Apostles are set in the wall surrounding the church. It’s a pretty location. #mynovgetaway

People living in the world do need some kind of reliance, and most people call it faith. ChengduPinganqiao Catholic Church