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Beijing Catholic Churches

Now Beijing has 17 Catholic Churches. Eight are in the downtown: Nantang Cathedral, Beitang Cathedral, Dongtang Cathedral, Xitang Cathedral, Dongjiaominxiang Cathedral, Nangangzi Cathedral, Pingfang Cathedral, Dongguantou Cathedral. The remaining nine cathedrals are in the suburbs.
There are usually murals on the walls of Catholic churches. The contents of the murals are generally connected with the Bible. Fourteen paintings concerning Passion of Christ are usually hung. They are as follows: First, Pontius Pilate sentenced the death of Jesus. Second, Jesus received his crucifix. Third, Jesus fell to the ground. Fourth, Jesus met with his mother. Fifth, Simon carried the crucifix on his back for Jesus. Sixth, Veronica Jesus cleaned face for Jesus. Seventh, Jesus fell for the second time. Eighth, Jesus told the women of Jerusalem not to cry for him. Ninth, Jesus fell for the third time. Tenth, Jesus was disrobed. Eleventh, Jesus was nailed to the crucifix. Twelfth, Jesus died on the crucifix. Thirteenth, Jesus’ body was taken off from the crucifix. Fourteenth, Jesus was put to the tomb.

Brief introductions of some key Catholic Churches:
Nantang Cathedral (South Cathedral)
Nantang Cathedral is among the oldest Catholic Churches in Beijing. It was initially built in 1605, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The well-known Italian missionary Matteo Ricci and German born Jesuit Johann Adam Schall von Bell both took post there. It is a major government-protected cultural site in Beijing.
Address: No. 141, Qianmenxi Dajie 
Telephone: 86-10-66037139

Beitang Cathedral (North Cathedral)
Beitang Cathedral is the biggest Catholic Church in Beijing. It was initially built up in 1703, Qing Dynasty, and then rebuilt in 1886. It is a typical Gothic architecture. There’s a stele with the autography of Emperor Qianlong in the Beitang Cathedral.
Address: No. 33, XiShiKu Dajie, Xicheng District
Telephone: (010) 66175198
Open time: 5:00~18:00
How to get there:  Take the buses of No. 103, No. 109, and No. 101, and get off at XiShiKu station.

Dongtang Cathedral (East Cathedral)
Dongtang Cathedral is also called Wangfujing Cathedral. It is among the big four Catholic Churches in Beijing. It was initially set up in 1655, Qing Dynasty. It was the second Catholic Church in Beijing then. However it suffered a big fire in 1807, then it was rebuilt in 1884. Then it was burnt down again in the Yihetuan movement. In 1904, it was built up for the third time by France and Ireland. It has been kept since ever.
Address: No. 74, Wangfujing Dajie
Telephone: (010) 65240634
Open time: Every morning
How to get there: Take the buses of No. 103, 102, 104, 803, 814, 808, and get off at DongAnShiChang station. Walk northward for 300 meters.

Xitang Cathedral (West Cathedral)
Xitang Cathedral has the shortest history among the big four cathedrals in Beijing. It was initially built up in 1723. It was destroyed twice in 1811 and 1900 respectively. The latest reconstruction was in 1912.
How to get there: Take the buses of No. 808, 27, 105, and get off at Xizhimen station. You can also take the subway.
Open time: 6:30~7:00

Houtangyu Cathedral
Many foreigners would come to Housangyu ancient village besides touring the Forbidden City and climbing the Great Wall when they pay a visit to Beijing. Housangyu ancient village has a profound cultural base and special natural sights. More importantly, it has an old and mysterious cathedral in the village--- Houtangyu Cathedral. It was initially set up in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), which has a history of more than 700 years.  
Houtangyu Cathedral is the oldest cathedral preserved in Beijing so far. It is also among the only two existing cathedrals in Mentougou District of Beijing. The cathedral can hold 400 people. It is built up with flashed bricks, and decorated with stonewalling inside. It is 7 meters high, with a white spire at the top. Inside the cathedral, an altar is in the east, a music hall is in the west, and an arched roof is at the top.
Address: Housanyu Village, Junxiang Xiang, Mentougou District, Beijing.