The Most Beautiful Church to Check In at in Shenyang
Xiaonan Church: The Faith Landmark in the Time of Shengjing
At the bustling intersection of Xiaonan Street and Nanle Suburb Road in Shenyang’s Shenhe District, a red-and-white Gothic-style building stands quietly—this is the Shenyang Catholic Church, more commonly known by longtime locals as "Xiaonan Church." Like a witness to a century of storms and sunshine, it guards a corner of tranquility and devotion amid the bustling modern city, holding the time code of the ancient Shengjing city.
The origins of Xiaonan Church date back to the turbulent year of 1900. At that time, French missionary Father Jean-François Favier led the construction of the church. After four years of meticulous craftsmanship, this building, blending the essence of Gothic style with local artistry, was completed. The main structure consists of a bell tower, a chapel, and a priest’s residence. The towering twin spires pierce the sky, with crosses at the top shining brilliantly in the sunlight, making it the most exotic landmark in Shengjing city at the time. The red brick walls, weathered by a century of wind and rain, have developed a warm texture. Gothic elements such as pointed arch doors, stained glass windows, and clustered column arcades are all present. Every carving is delicate and exquisite, preserving the solemnity and sanctity of Western religious architecture while quietly integrating the weighty and steady style of Northeast Chinese architecture.
During the Republic of China era, Xiaonan Church became the core venue for Catholic activities in Shenyang. Amid the morning bells and evening drums, believers prayed devoutly here, and the melodious hymns echoed through the streets, bringing spiritual comfort to people during turbulent times. During the War of Resistance, the church witnessed the city’s suffering and resilience. The red brick walls bear the marks of artillery fire but never bent the cross that points straight to the sky. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Xiaonan Church underwent repairs, shedding the dust of history and regaining vitality. In 1988, it was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province, becoming an important carrier connecting Eastern and Western cultures and bearing the city’s memories.
Today, Xiaonan Church has long surpassed the single identity of a religious building, becoming a spiritual landmark and popular check-in spot in the hearts of Shenyang people. In the early morning, sunlight streams through the stained glass windows into the chapel, casting colorful shadows on the floor. The prayers of the faithful are gentle yet firm, blending harmoniously with the birdsong outside. During non-religious hours, the church is open to the public. Newlyweds in wedding dresses capture their happy moments here, with the red brick walls and white spires forming the most romantic backdrop. Tourists pause to gaze, touching the warmth of the century-old bricks, and between the flying eaves and spire domes, they feel the collision of Eastern and Western architectural aesthetics.
Around the church, the prosperity of the modern city perfectly blends with the weight of history. A ten-minute walk leads to the Shenyang Imperial Palace x Hotel, a hotel that combines the royal aura of Shengjing with modern travel aesthetics, echoing Xiaonan Church. On one side is the solemn elegance of Gothic architecture; on the other, the exquisite and graceful style of the Qing royal family. These two completely different styles jointly outline Shenyang’s urban characteristic of “ancient and modern coexistence.” From the church’s century-old faith to the hotel’s modern hospitality, from the depth of history to the vibrancy of life, every space on this land tells the story of Shenyang’s inclusiveness and growth.
In the afternoon, Xiaonan Church always attracts many visitors. Elderly people chat leisurely under the shade of trees, recalling the times when they went to school to the sound of the church bell; young people hold cameras, capturing the beauty of the shifting light and shadow on the architecture; children play around the pigeons in the square, their laughter crisp and clear. The church bell still rings punctually, no longer just a time signal of old but a cultural symbol reminding people to pause in the fast pace of life and feel inner peace.
Through a century of storms, Xiaonan Church has witnessed Shenyang’s transformation from the ancient city of Shengjing to a modern metropolis. Its red brick walls record the vicissitudes of history, and the cross carries unchanging faith. Together with the Shenyang Imperial Palace x Hotel, it forms a wonderful dialogue of “ancient and modern” and “East and West” in the city’s core. Here, faith and life blend, history and modernity coexist. Xiaonan Church is not just a building but an irreplaceable time landmark in the hearts of Shenyang people, continuing to write the warmth and perseverance of this city through the river of time.