"VISITA IGLESIA" IN BEIJING: My First in a Foreign Land

The seven Churches visitation or "VISITA IGLESIA" is an ancient Pious Roman Catholic Lenten Tradition to visit seven churches on the evening of Holy Thursday.

However, there are only four Catholic Churches in BEIJING. They are the North, the East, the West, and the South Cathedrals.

Since we were still having class last Holy Thursday and we are not allowed to go out very late at night, I decided to do my own version of the VISITA IGLESIA in BEIJING on EASTER SUNDAY.

Everything started with a PLAN. 

On Saturday evening, I plotted my FLIGHT PLAN just like the night before a flight mission.

Inside the BEIJING SUBWAY TRAIN

But this time, I only need to use the BEIJING SUBWAY MAP and to review my blogs about the four Catholic Churches in Beijing. Actually, I already visited these churches last year during the first semester of the course.

The SUBWAY TRAIN is the most convenient, fastest, and economical means of transportation that paved the way for me to be able to visit all the four Catholic Churches in BEIJING within 5 hours.

BEIJING SUBWAY MAP

Since 3 of the 4 Churches are located along SUBWAY LINE 4, I plotted my itinerary by first visiting the nearest church in line 4 which is the WEST CATHEDRAL. It is located near the GATE "D" of the XINJIEKOU Subway Station. Upon exit, I turned left then followed the road then after about 100 meters, the towering structure with CROSS on the left side of the road unfolded.

When I arrived at about 9:15am, there was an ongoing mass, but in Chinese language. The church is beaming with churchgoers.

WEST CATHEDRAL in BEIJING

After thanking the Almighty for my wonderful Journey and praying for my safety for the rest of my stay in China, I went back to the SUBWAY STATION where I alighted then proceeded to my next destination which is located just two subway stations away.

The nearest SUBWAY STATION to the NORTH CATHEDRAL is the XISI  (Subway Line 4) at the GATE "D". Although there is a walking distance of about 500 meters, however, considering the noble destination and the magnificent design of the NORTH CATHEDRAL are already more than enough to inspire me to go on with the journey.

After the exit at said subway station, I walked towards South, then crossed the street, then turned left then took a long walk, then crossed the first street then turned left at the second street, then the majestic view of the NORTH CATHEDRAL finally revealed. 

NORTH CATHEDRAL in BEIJING

NORTH CATHEDRAL is the LARGEST among the 4 Catholic Churches in BEIJING.

At XISI SUBWAY STATION

After staying for about 15 minutes inside the NORTH CATHEDRAL which was fully-packed with churchgoers attending mass in Chinese, I went back to XISI SUBWAY STATION, then proceeded to my next destination.

After only three subway stations, I arrived at the XUANWUMEN SUBWAY STATION then proceeded to GATE "B1" to visit the SOUTH CATHEDRAL, the OLDEST CATHOLIC CHURCH in BEIJING.

SOUTH CATHEDRAL in BEIJING

This Church has the most number of people among the four Churches that I visited that day.

The CROWDED COMPOUND of the SOUTH CATHEDRAL in BEIJING

After doing the same rituals in the 2 Churches, I proceeded to my next destination. This time, there is a need for me to transfer subway lines twice to reach the EASTERN CATHEDRAL.
What I appreciated very much about the SUBWAY stations in BEIJING is the system of connectivity. You don't have to go out of the station to access another subway line. You just need to look for the signage that will direct you to transfer to another subway line.

TRANSFER LANE from
SUBWAY LINE 2 to LINE 5

From LINE 4, I transferred to LINE 2 then again transferred to LINE 5 because the EASTERN CATHEDRAL is located near DENSHIKOU SUBWAY STATION along LINE 5. Then I made an exit at GATE "A" then turned left and immediately I spotted the "BAISHU HUTONG" then walked straight along the said Hutong, then I found the EASTERN CATHEDRAL at left side of its endpoint . (HUTONG is a narrow road or "eskinita".)

BEIJING SUBWAY MAP is located in every
SUBWAY STATION in BEIJING

There was also an ongoing mass when I arrived, which is fortunately in ENGLISH. The church was also full of churchgoers, majority of them are FOREIGNERS like me. It was not surprising because the Church is along WANGFUJING STREET, the largest PEDESTRIAN LANE in BEIJING where numerous SHOPPING MALLS and OPEN MARKETS are located. Exotic food like fried scorpion and starfish can be found along the WANGFUJING SNACK STREET.

EASTERN CATHEDRAL in BEIJING

After successfully accomplishing my NOBLE MISSION this EASTER SUNDAY, I headed back to where I started my JOURNEY for the day, at the COMFORT of my "HOME" in BEIJING at the Department of International Students building at Air Force Command College in Haidian District also in Beijing.

A  FULLY-LOADED MEAL after the
"VISITA IGLESIA"

I can be your TOUR GUIDE when you visit BEIJING especially in visiting the 4 Catholic Churches.

"BEIJING" simply means "NORTH CAPITAL"

GOD BLESS OUR JOURNEY IN LIFE...