Niujie Mosque in Beijing
Niujie Temple is the oldest and largest Muslim temple in Beijing. It is also one of the world's famous mosques. Now it is a national key cultural relic protection unit.
Chinese Name: 牛街礼拜寺
English Name: Niujie Mosque
Type: Temple, Muslim culture & National key cultural relics protection unit
Best Time: All Year Around
Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-3 hour
Opening Hours: All day long
Ticket:Tickets for domestic tourists 5 yuan/person, foreign tourists 10 yuan/person
Location: in the Niujie area of Beijing's Xicheng District
Why is Niujie Mosque so special?
Niujie Temple is the oldest and largest Muslim temple in Beijing. It is also one of the world’s famous mosques. Now it is a national key cultural relic protection unit.
History of Niujie Mosque
Niujie Temple, founded in 996 by Arab scholar Nasrudin, has been renovated and expanded through the ages to form such a magnificent group of ancient buildings today.After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the government carried out many repairs to the temple in 1955, 1979 and 1996. After that, we can make a visit to this place.
Main Attractions in Niujie Mosque
Daying wall
Entering the mosque, one can see a wall more than 30 meters long with exquisite designs. A Muslim friend told me that Islam often uses plant patterns, geometric patterns and Arabic characters in mosque decoration, but animal and character patterns are forbidden.
Wangyue tower
The main entrance is below the Wangyue tower. The door is normally closed and only opens during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. From the entrance to the mosque, to the first courtyard. Upon entering the temple, a 10-meter-high Wangyue tower stands in front of us. every year when Ramadan is entered in September, the imam township’s old tower looks for the new moon to set the beginning and end of Ramadan, hence the full moon tower.
Hall of Worship
The west of the courtyard is the temple of worship, facing mecca, which is the most important part of the mosque. The main hall can accommodate a thousand people to worship. The inside of the temple is golden, dazzling, more solemn and magnificent, giving people a sense of holiness and solemnity.
Construction Style
Niujie Temple underwent expansion and reconstruction in Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, making its overall layout centralized, rigorous and symmetrical. Covering an area of 6,000 square meters, the temple is a unique group of Chinese-style Islamic ancient buildings combining the two architectural styles of Chinese ancient palace and Arab mosque.
How to Get There
- By Bus:
1. Take bus 10, 48, 88, or 717 and get off at Niujie Libaisi (Niujie Mosque) Station.
2. Take bus Special Line 13 and get off at Niujie Station. - By Subway:
1. Take Subway Line 7 and get off at Guang’anmennei Station. Get out from Exit C2. Then walk to the east along Guang’anmennei Street and turn south at the crossing with Niujie Street.
2. Take Subway Line 4 or Line 7 and get off at Caishikou Station. Get out from Exit E. Then walk to the west along Guang’anmennei Street and turn south at the crossing with Niujie Street.
Niujie Mosque Travel Tips
- Proper dress is required. No admittance if you are wearing shorts or a skirt.
- Admittance to the Prayer Hall is limited to Muslims only.
- Some areas in it are not open to the public. Please refer to the information on the ticket.