Sophia Square
Sophia Square
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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- Joanna8 contributionsPoor shape of the church, square has some charmThe St. Sophia Orthodox church was closed when I arrived there, supposedly for renovation, but not that you see much going on really (not even light switched on inside). The church obviously needs it desperately as even to the naked eye you can spot fragments of tin tiles missing from the roof, the brick is in a pitiful state etc. Interestingly, if you take the liberty and look at the photo display on the fence around the church, you can see that nothing of the original interior of the CHURCH remained (talking here about the altar and paintings - ikonostas), and the paint was peeling from the ceiling. Also, the pictures or mosaics or Christ, Mary and St. Sophia (that's my guess) which were in the niches above the entrance were taken away. Hope the renovation proceeds quickly and St Sophia is restored to its original beauty. Apart from it, the square houses some Russian souvenir shop and a food place in a nice pavilion. That adds some charm to the place.Visited January 2020Written January 4, 2020
- Jenny GohSingapore, Singapore209 contributionsNice looking churchI stayed at a hotel just beside St Sophia’s Cathedral. Look out for the sweet potato man! 🤣😂 he sold sweet potatoes on a push cart and the price depended on the weight of the potato. It was hot, sweet and delicious on a very cold snowy morning. There was a Russian ornaments/ souvenir shop nearby selling Russian dolls and trinkets. MacDonalds and KFC within walking distance and a big shopping mall directly across St Sophia’s cathedral.Visited December 2019Traveled with familyWritten January 4, 2020
- JuanMao 卷毛82 contributionsWonderful Russian Orthodox ChurchAbout a 15 min walk from the hotel, and visited every day during my 3-day visit (closed on Mondays, can only be viewed from the outside). The church has very nice elements and details inside, a QR code is required to visit it. In the city I have visited several other churches, but this is definitely recommended.Visited March 2021Written April 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
542 reviews
Excellent
186
Very good
244
Average
100
Poor
11
Terrible
1
Amy L
Hangzhou, China543 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
It’s a pretty church i in the middle of town. There are tourist shops outside selling over priced souvenirs. Unfortunately the church was closed and there was no way to go inside, so it was a two minute, take-a-picture and go. It’s next to the clothing and small commodities markets, so it wasn’t a wasted trip.
Written December 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maxim B
Ottawa, Canada905 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Unfortunately didn't make it inside the cathedral as it was closed for restoration. The historical feel is getting somewhat diluted by tacky shopping centres surrounding the square. Just a few minutes walk takes you to the Central Street - the famous pedestrian mall.
Walking a slow to medium pace it is easily possible to cover the square, the synagogue and the entire Central Street in half a day.
Walking a slow to medium pace it is easily possible to cover the square, the synagogue and the entire Central Street in half a day.
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo-Ann
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia15,996 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
We had a quick visit just to take some photos with the old Russian Orthodox church in the heart of Harbin. Could not enter the church, which was sad. This is apparently the largest Eastern Orthodox Church in the Far East. Impressive!
Written January 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LG_Kay
Singapore, Singapore7,488 contributions
Dec 2019
This square is an open space area just in front of Saint Sophia Cathedral, one of the major attractions in Harbin. It is a happening place here, with nearby shopping malls and the famous Central Street. One can experience traces of Russian’s influence in the area.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie
10 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
It’s pretty and has cool Russian architecture, but it’s just a church. There’s nothing else to do but look and snap a photo (can’t go inside). If you’re trying to make a quick Harbin trip, you can skip this.
Written December 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Statsdoc
29 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
I had the great opportunity of spending three weeks working with students at a nearby university and we visited Harbin during the first weekend.
My review is focused entirely on the church--the surroundings are, as far as I could tell, average shops. I spoke of this square being a site of contrasts--one is the outward and inward appearance of the church (I suppose the first contrast I should mention is that the building is a church, but it is not used as one.) The outside is really beautiful--striking. I cannot make the educated comments you see in the other reviews, but it is fascinating to see this style of church in Harbin, China. I found the difference with the somewhat dingy interior (cobwebs around the old chandeliers, e.g.) to be noteworthy.
Next, the cultural difference: I've already talked about the Russian versus Chinese architecture, but as our van was arriving, Russian choral music was blaring from speakers in the spires. Almost jarring.
Still an interesting place, and there is a small, historical diorama of the city. Worth some time, especially for people watching (and for being watched, if you are a westerner.)
My review is focused entirely on the church--the surroundings are, as far as I could tell, average shops. I spoke of this square being a site of contrasts--one is the outward and inward appearance of the church (I suppose the first contrast I should mention is that the building is a church, but it is not used as one.) The outside is really beautiful--striking. I cannot make the educated comments you see in the other reviews, but it is fascinating to see this style of church in Harbin, China. I found the difference with the somewhat dingy interior (cobwebs around the old chandeliers, e.g.) to be noteworthy.
Next, the cultural difference: I've already talked about the Russian versus Chinese architecture, but as our van was arriving, Russian choral music was blaring from speakers in the spires. Almost jarring.
Still an interesting place, and there is a small, historical diorama of the city. Worth some time, especially for people watching (and for being watched, if you are a westerner.)
Written June 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelingmaven
Chicago, IL292 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
The main attraction of the square is the cathedral, built in 1907 or so. No longer a church, it is filled with black and white photos of Harbin life from the 1890s to around the 1930s. There is a model of the church and square in the middle of the church which shows what it was like at the time it was built.
The cathedral, itself, is like one might find in Russia. The paint inside, tho, is peeling. In fact, the frescoes and decorations showed up better on my pictures than they did "in person." It's remarkable that it survived all the uproar in Harbin and China during the 20th century.
The square surrounding the Cathedral is large, and there are interesting shops.
The cathedral, itself, is like one might find in Russia. The paint inside, tho, is peeling. In fact, the frescoes and decorations showed up better on my pictures than they did "in person." It's remarkable that it survived all the uproar in Harbin and China during the 20th century.
The square surrounding the Cathedral is large, and there are interesting shops.
Written August 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heinchina
Can Tho, Vietnam128 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
I visited the Sophia Church in Harbin, China with my 2 sons. It is so impressive from the outside and really stands out on the lovely square. It was how I imagined a true Russian church must be on the Red Square. We bought tickets (about 40 Yuan) to go inside and my disappointment was really great! I was expecting a small, holy, warm atmosphere inside, a place with candles, where one wants to kneel down and send a special prayer to heaven. Instead it was a cold, impersonal museum feeling inside, not like a church. I think it is really not worth it to go inside, take lovely pictures outside and buy souvenirs at the different shops around and your memories will be warmer!
Harbin is a lovely city and there is so much to see and do in the winter!
Harbin is a lovely city and there is so much to see and do in the winter!
Written May 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zen_lwz
Singapore, Singapore416 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
A pretty, Russian influenced architecture right smack along the main bustling road is a d ñ
estination not to be missed. One would noticee just how different and unique Sophia Church is bccompared to the European worship buildings that many are familiar with. The structure's ⁵color andds history, has made this church known by many.
Sophia Square has a pretty huge open space that seems to welcome some perormance/gathering.
estination not to be missed. One would noticee just how different and unique Sophia Church is bccompared to the European worship buildings that many are familiar with. The structure's ⁵color andds history, has made this church known by many.
Sophia Square has a pretty huge open space that seems to welcome some perormance/gathering.
Written November 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony Yeo
Singapore, Singapore13 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
If you like old and beautiful architecture, this is really an awesome old church building not to be missed in Harbin!
Written April 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingSophia Square - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Sophia Square
- Sophia Square is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking Sophia Square tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Sophia Square tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Sophia Square:
- (0.08 mi) Manhattan Hotel
- (0.10 mi) Yunlaiyi Fashion Holiday Hotel
- (0.14 mi) Home Inn Harbin Central Avenue Sophia Church Mackay
- (0.36 mi) Holiday Inn City Centre Harbin
- (0.17 mi) Hi Inn Harbin Central Street
- Restaurants near Sophia Square:
- (0.08 mi) DongFang JiaoZi Wang (SuoFeiYa)
- (0.07 mi) LaoChang ChunBing (SuoFeiYa)
- (0.10 mi) LuoJieSi (Xin YiBai)
- (0.11 mi) KFC (ZhaoLin Jie)
- (0.12 mi) XiJu Coffee
Sophia Square Information
Excellent Reviews | 186 |
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Very Good Reviews | 244 |
Sophia Square Photos | 466 |