Yesterday, a short video was shared in a church WeChat group, showing the crowded scene of tourists at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Guangzhou, Guangdong. A Christian man remarked, "At peak times, people should wait two hours in a long queue, and visitors can only spend five minutes inside. Yet, despite this, many tourists still line up to catch a glimpse of the church's magnificence."
A local pastor in Guangzhou also mentioned, "At the Shamian Christian Church in Guangzhou, it's almost impossible for me to move an inch." A similar situation is observed in churches at other tourist destinations across the country, which indicates the enthusiasm of tourists for visiting churches.
In response to this situation, various opinions have arisen in the news. Some view it positively, considering it a good thing and even seeing it as people's thirst for truth. Others, however, feel that tourists are just visiting tourist attractions and not genuinely embracing faith.
In reality, churches crowded with visitors are mostly found in places where tourism resources are relatively less abundant or where a blend of Chinese and Western cultures is prominent. These churches often serve as local landmarks and are must-visit places for tourists. For example, while Guangzhou is an economically developed city, it has fewer cultural and historical sites compared to ancient capitals like Xi'an and Beijing. The majestic and spectacular architecture of Shamian Church makes it a must-visit spot in Guangzhou.
On the other hand, places like Kulangsu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represent a historic international settlement where Chinese and Western cultures coexist. Churches and other religious remnants play a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of these areas. Visitors come to experience the local culture, and skipping the churches would be a missed opportunity.
The North Cathedral (Xishiku), the South Cathedral (Xuanwumen) in Beijing, and the Catholic Church at Wuxing Street in Xi’an are also grand and magnificent. Though these two cities are famous ancient capitals with rich cultural and tourist resources, churches do not take center stage on the sightseeing agenda. While these churches do attract visitors during festivals, rarely do queues form for entry.
It's worth noting that tourists' interest in visiting churches is not necessarily a bad thing. It provides an opportunity for them to explore the charm of churches, which lays a foundation for potential evangelization.
A Christian man shared an experience from a past Spring Festival when he visited Shanghai. He experienced great emotion while viewing Shanghai's St. Ignatius Cathedral. Although he did not understand biblical faith at that time, he involuntarily kneeled and prayed. Subsequently, he developed an interest in Christianity and eventually became a believer.
(The article was originally published by the Gospel Times and the author is a Christian in Fujian.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
昨天，有个广州石室教堂游客众多的短视频在主内群转发。一位弟兄说：“最高峰时，排队要两小时，而只能参观五分钟。可尽管如此仍有很多游客前来排队，想一睹教堂风采。”
而一位在广州的传道人也说：“我现在在广州沙面岛基督教堂，寸步难行。”而这种情况在国内其他旅游景区的教堂同样出现，足见游客对于参观教堂的热情。
面对这种情况，不少新闻议论纷纷，有的认为这是好事，甚至觉得人们对于真理的渴慕。也有的肢体觉得，游客只是打卡而已，并不是真的信仰。
其实，游人如织的教堂，基本都出现在旅游资源相对不那么丰富或者以中西文化交融为主的地方。这些景区的教堂基本都是当地的地标之一，是打卡必去的地方。比如广州虽然是经济发达的城市，但2000多年来，一直远离古代王朝的中心，因此其文化古迹相比西安、北京就少很多。加上石室教堂建筑风格雄伟、壮观，成了到广州必打卡之地。
而世界文化遗产鼓浪屿，则是近代华洋共处的历史国际社区，教堂等教会遗迹是其主要的文化形态。游客来此要感受当地文化，不看教堂是非常遗憾的。
北京、西安等地的西什库、宣武门、五星街等等教堂在建筑上也雄伟华丽。但这两地都是著名的古都，文化旅游资源丰富，教堂自然无法成为游览的核心。这些地方的教堂在节日期间是有游客，但很少出现排队进入的情况。
需要指出的是，游客愿意来教堂肯定不是坏事，至少可以让他们了解下基督教的魅力，从而成为福传的基础。
有位弟兄在某年春节他去上海旅游，游览徐家汇教堂时被其气势所震撼。虽然自己当时不懂信仰，但还是不由自主地跪下祈祷。此后他对基督信仰产生了兴趣，经过了解最终信主了。
注：本文为特约/自由撰稿人文章，作者系福建一名基督徒。
春节期间某些教堂游客如织
Yesterday, a short video was shared in a church WeChat group, showing the crowded scene of tourists at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Guangzhou, Guangdong. A Christian man remarked, "At peak times, people should wait two hours in a long queue, and visitors can only spend five minutes inside. Yet, despite this, many tourists still line up to catch a glimpse of the church's magnificence."
A local pastor in Guangzhou also mentioned, "At the Shamian Christian Church in Guangzhou, it's almost impossible for me to move an inch." A similar situation is observed in churches at other tourist destinations across the country, which indicates the enthusiasm of tourists for visiting churches.
In response to this situation, various opinions have arisen in the news. Some view it positively, considering it a good thing and even seeing it as people's thirst for truth. Others, however, feel that tourists are just visiting tourist attractions and not genuinely embracing faith.
In reality, churches crowded with visitors are mostly found in places where tourism resources are relatively less abundant or where a blend of Chinese and Western cultures is prominent. These churches often serve as local landmarks and are must-visit places for tourists. For example, while Guangzhou is an economically developed city, it has fewer cultural and historical sites compared to ancient capitals like Xi'an and Beijing. The majestic and spectacular architecture of Shamian Church makes it a must-visit spot in Guangzhou.
On the other hand, places like Kulangsu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represent a historic international settlement where Chinese and Western cultures coexist. Churches and other religious remnants play a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of these areas. Visitors come to experience the local culture, and skipping the churches would be a missed opportunity.
The North Cathedral (Xishiku), the South Cathedral (Xuanwumen) in Beijing, and the Catholic Church at Wuxing Street in Xi’an are also grand and magnificent. Though these two cities are famous ancient capitals with rich cultural and tourist resources, churches do not take center stage on the sightseeing agenda. While these churches do attract visitors during festivals, rarely do queues form for entry.
It's worth noting that tourists' interest in visiting churches is not necessarily a bad thing. It provides an opportunity for them to explore the charm of churches, which lays a foundation for potential evangelization.
A Christian man shared an experience from a past Spring Festival when he visited Shanghai. He experienced great emotion while viewing Shanghai's St. Ignatius Cathedral. Although he did not understand biblical faith at that time, he involuntarily kneeled and prayed. Subsequently, he developed an interest in Christianity and eventually became a believer.
(The article was originally published by the Gospel Times and the author is a Christian in Fujian.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Towering Churches Attract Numerous Visitors During the Spring Festival
