North Church (Xishiku) The largest and one of the most beautiful churches in Beijing, Xishiku is obscurely located on the bend of a small road north of Xi'anmen Dajie, west of Beihai Park. All services in Chinese. Service hours: Mon-Sat 6, lam; Sun 6, 7, 8, 10am, 6pm. 33 Xishiku Dajie, Xicheng District. (6617 5198)

St. Joseph's (East Church - Dongtang) Originally built in 1655, this centrally located cathedral offers services in Chinese and Latin for Chinese citizens and foreigners. Service hours: Mon-Sat 6.30, 7am; Sun 6:15 (Latin), 7, 8am. 74 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6524 0634)

St. Michael's (Dongjiaomin Church) Built in 1902 as the French embassy church in the foreign Legation Quarter, St. Michael's now welcomes Chinese and foreigners to its Chinese-language service. Service hours: Sun 7, 8am, 6pm. 13A Dongjiaomin Xiang, Dongcheng District. Contact Father Gao Yang (8511 5405, 13701305933)

Xuanwumen Church (South Church - Nantang) Also known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest Catholic Church in Beijing is currently the Diocesan Cathedral. ervice hours: Sun 6, 7, 8.30, 10am (English), 4pm (English). 141 Qianmen Xidajie (at the Xuanwumen subway station), Xicheng District. (6602 6538)

West Church (Xizhimen) Also known as the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the newest and yet least well-kept of the four cardinally named churches. Service hours: Sun 8am (Chinese). 130 Xizhimennei Dajie, Xicheng District.