Nanxiapo Mosque in Beijing
Nanxiapo Mosque is one mosque that you should not miss if you have a chance to visit Beijing. Built by the Hui people in Guanxu Period of the Qing Dynasty (during 1644 – 1911) in Nanxiapo, outside Chaoyang Gate, the mosque has become an important and famous place for Muslims to go in Beijing.
English Name: Nanxiapo Mosque in Beijing
Chinese Name: 北京南下坡清真寺
Other Name: Southern downhill mosque
Recommended Visiting Time: 1 or 2 hours
Location: Located outside Chaoyangmen Gate closed to Yabao Road market
Nanxiapo Mosque
Why is Nanxiapo Mosque So Special
Introduction of Nanxiapo Mosque
There is a main hall which has an area of 132 square meters holding 800 people for prayer. The layout of the prayer hall is simple and elegant. The inner decoration of the prayer hall is featured by the typically traditional Chinese architecture, while the outside is with Arabic style. It is a perfect model that shows the combination of Chinese and western architectural style. The north hall and south hall is symmetrically and their total area is 68 square meters.
The layout of Nanxiapo Mosque is east-west arrangement with the prayer hall located in the center. Covering 132 square meters, the prayer hall is typical of traditional Chinese architecture from outside but Arabic inside.
How to get to Nanxiapo Mosque from Beijing
- Taxi from Beijing to Balizhuang Subdistrict 7min
One-Way from: ¥30 – ¥40 - Subway from Tian’anmen East Station to Dawanglu Station 13 min
¥3 – ¥4
Accommodation around Nanxiapo Mosque
Useful Travel Tips for Visiting Nanxiapo Mosque
- Clothing
Clothing should be modest, covering your arms and legs with no messages or slogans displayed. Shoes, hats and sunglasses should be removed before entering, with some mosques offering disposable covers for your feet. - Timing
Tourists should generally avoid visiting the mosque during prayer time, which happens five times a day according to the position of the sun. Fridays usually have group prayer from morning to late afternoon, so try to plan your visit after sundown. - Entering
Visitors should enter the building with their right foot first and exit with their left. “Assalam Allaikum” is the typical greeting, translating to “peace be upon you.” Visitors can reply with “Wa alaikum-as-salam,” meaning “peace be upon you too.” - Seeing
Photography is allowed but you should refrain from taking pictures of worshippers or during prayer time. Keep the flash off and avoid walking in front of people in prayer. - Holidays
Mosques during Muslim holidays like Ramadan are generally still open to the public, though visitors should pay extra attention to religious etiquette during these holy days.