Mosques in China

The Great Mosque of Hangzhou

The Great Mosque of Hangzhou

The Great Mosque of Hangzhou

The Great Mosque of Hangzhou

The Great Mosque of Hangzhou

Nanguan Mosque in Xining

Changying Mosque in Beijing

Changying Mosque in Beijing

Lulinxiang Mosque in Xining

Pudong Mosque in Shanghai

Xiguan Mosque in Xining

Songpan Northern Mosque in Songpan County, Aba (Ngawa)

Nanxiapo Mosque in Beijing

Nanxiapo Mosque in Beijing

Fayuan Mosque in Beijing

The Grand Mosque in Yining City, Ili

Jingxing Road Mosque in Shanghai

Yangjiaxiang Mosque in Xining

Yangjiaxiang Mosque in Xining

Great Mosque in Hohhot

Nanguan Mosque in Yinchuan

Shaanxi Grand Mosque in Urumqi

Shengyou Lamasery in Zhaosu County, Ili

8 Days Northwest China Tour to Inner Mongolia, Ningxia and Xian

Shengyou Lamasery in Zhaosu County, Ili

Medlis Mosque in Ili

Medlis Mosque in Ili

Shengyou Lamasery in Zhaosu County, Ili

Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area in Yantai

Medlis Mosque in Ili

China is home to a rich Islamic heritage, with mosques found in cities that have significant Muslim populations, particularly among the Hui, Uyghur, Kazakh, and other ethnic Muslim communities. Below is a list of some of the most significant mosques in China, showcasing the blend of Islamic and Chinese architectural styles.

1. Niujie Mosque (牛街清真寺) – Beijing

Location: Xicheng District, Beijing
Significance: The oldest and most famous mosque in Beijing, dating back to 996 AD. It serves as a cultural and religious center for the Hui Muslim population.
Architecture: A blend of traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic elements, featuring pagoda-like structures, Arabic calligraphy, and a typical mosque layout.

2. Xi'an Great Mosque (西安大清真寺) – Xi'an

Location: Huajue Lane, near the Muslim Quarter in Xi'an
Significance: One of the largest and best-preserved ancient mosques in China, built during the Tang Dynasty in 742 AD.
Architecture: A fascinating combination of Chinese and Islamic styles, featuring gardens, courtyards, and traditional Chinese wooden structures. It remains a major place of worship for Hui Muslims in Xi'an.

3. Huaisheng Mosque (怀圣寺) – Guangzhou

Location: Guangta Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
Significance: One of the oldest mosques in the world, believed to have been built in the 7th century during the Tang Dynasty, possibly by Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad.
Architecture: Known for its unique minaret, called the "Guangta" or Light Tower, which historically served as a lighthouse. The mosque blends Islamic features with southern Chinese architectural elements.

4. Id Kah Mosque (艾提尕尔清真寺) – Kashgar, Xinjiang

Location: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Significance: The largest mosque in China, capable of holding over 20,000 worshippers. It was built in 1442 and serves as the religious and cultural heart of Kashgar.
Architecture: The mosque has a distinctly Central Asian architectural style, with a grand yellow-tiled façade, wide courtyards, and intricate wood carvings.

5. Dongguan Mosque (东关清真大寺) – Xining, Qinghai

Location: Xining, Qinghai Province
Significance: One of the largest and most important mosques in northwest China, serving the Hui Muslim population. It has been a center of Islamic learning and education for centuries.
Architecture: The mosque showcases a blend of traditional Chinese and Islamic styles, with its grand dome and elegant minarets. The mosque's prayer hall and courtyard are expansive and can accommodate thousands of worshippers.

6. Southern Mosque (南大寺) – Jinan, Shandong

Location: Jinan, Shandong Province
Significance: One of the most famous mosques in eastern China, originally built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
Architecture: The mosque features traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic interior designs. The main prayer hall is a large, pagoda-like structure with Chinese roof eaves.

7. Yanghang Mosque (洋行清真寺) – Yinchuan, Ningxia

Location: Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Significance: Yinchuan is home to many Hui Muslims, and Yanghang Mosque is one of the oldest and most active mosques in the region, serving as a hub for religious and cultural activities.
Architecture: Featuring a combination of traditional Islamic designs and Chinese architecture, the mosque has a prominent dome and is known for its peaceful and serene surroundings.

8. Qingjing Mosque (清净寺) – Quanzhou, Fujian

Location: Quanzhou, Fujian Province
Significance: Built in 1009, it is the oldest Arab-style mosque in China and a testament to the ancient trade routes between China and the Arab world.
Architecture: The mosque has a simple, Arab-style stone structure with a distinctive arched gate. While much of the original structure is in ruins, parts of the mosque are still used for worship.

9. Nanguan Mosque (南关清真寺) – Yinchuan, Ningxia

Location: Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Significance: One of the largest mosques in Ningxia, serving the Hui Muslim community in the capital city. It plays a central role in religious festivals and educational activities.
Architecture: The mosque features traditional Chinese architecture, with bright green-tiled roofs and intricate wooden carvings. It is also one of the most visited mosques in the region.

10. Turpan Emin Minaret and Mosque (吐鲁番苏公塔) – Turpan, Xinjiang

Location: Turpan, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Significance: The Emin Minaret was built in 1778 in honor of a local Turpan ruler. The mosque attached to the minaret serves as an important religious site for Uyghur Muslims.
Architecture: The minaret, made of sun-dried bricks, stands 44 meters tall and is a masterpiece of Uyghur-Islamic architecture. The attached mosque is simple but significant for local worship.

11. Xining Nanguan Mosque (西宁南关清真寺) – Xining, Qinghai

Location: Xining, Qinghai Province
Significance: One of the largest mosques in Qinghai, serving a sizable population of Hui Muslims. Xining is often referred to as the "gateway to Tibet," and the mosque is a major religious site in the region.
Architecture: The mosque combines Islamic features with Chinese decorative styles, including a large domed roof and tall minarets. It has a spacious courtyard for prayer and gatherings.

12. Taizi Mosque (太子寺) – Guangzhou

Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
Significance: One of the most important mosques in southern China, serving the local Muslim community since the Yuan Dynasty.
Architecture: The mosque features traditional Islamic architecture with Chinese elements, such as pagoda-style buildings and traditional Chinese motifs.

13. Kashgar Aitika Mosque (喀什艾提尕尔清真寺) – Kashgar, Xinjiang

Location: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Significance: The largest mosque in China, capable of accommodating more than 20,000 worshippers. It plays a central role in Uyghur Muslim religious and cultural life.
Architecture: Characterized by its massive yellow-tiled façade and intricate designs, the mosque showcases Islamic and Central Asian architectural influences.

General Tips for Visiting Mosques in China

Modesty

• Both men and women should dress modestly when visiting mosques. Women should wear a headscarf, and all visitors should avoid revealing clothing.

Respect

• Always be respectful of local customs. Non-Muslims can visit most mosques but should avoid entering during prayer times unless invited.

Prayer Facilities

• Many mosques, especially in larger cities, provide prayer facilities for Muslims traveling through the area. Visitors can ask for Qibla directions or prayer times at the mosque.