Mosque
📍 Address: 60 meters southwest of the intersection of Zhongjun Street and Hongfu Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province
🕰️ Original Construction Period: Yuan Dynasty (circa 13th century); the current structures mostly date from the Ming and Qing dynasties
Historical Development
The mosque was originally established during the Yuan Dynasty and has long served as a significant religious center for the Hui Muslim community in Xi'an. It underwent multiple renovations and expansions during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the most extensive reconstruction occurring during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, when its complete architectural layout was formed. The site has witnessed cultural exchanges along the Silk Road and the flourishing development of the Hui community, making it an important historical relic reflecting the spread of Islam in Northwest China.
Architectural Layout
The mosque faces east, arranged along a central axis, with main buildings including:
- Main Gate Tower: A three-bay hip-roof structure adorned with intricate carvings; the lintel bears a Chinese inscription reading “Mosque”
- Prayer Hall: Five bays wide with a single-eave gable-and-hip roof; the interior features delicate wooden framework and ceiling murals preserving Qing Dynasty style
- Minaret (Call to Prayer Tower): Octagonal pyramidal roof, approximately 15 meters high, with Arabic inscriptions carved into stone on its surface
- Wudu Bathhouse and Sermon Hall: Located on either side of the courtyard, reflecting Islamic traditions of ritual purification
Cultural Relics and Features
- Three stone steles: Among them, the Ming Dynasty stele titled “Record of the Restoration of the Mosque” documents the temple’s history and donor lists, holding significant historical value
- Fragments of a hand-copied Arabic manuscript of the Qur’an preserved in the temple’s cultural relics room
- Inscribed Quranic verses in Qing Dynasty green bricks embedded in the walls of the prayer hall, featuring neat calligraphy representative of classic Persian script artistry
Cultural Significance
As one of the relatively intact surviving examples of Yuan and Ming-era architecture in Xi'an, this mosque not only serves as a spiritual hub for the Hui people but also embodies the harmonious coexistence between Chinese civilization and Islamic culture. Its architectural style blends traditional Chinese official design with Islamic decorative elements, serving as a vital physical reference for studying the evolution of Islamic architecture in Northwest China.
Visitor Information
- 🕋 Opening Hours: Daily 7:00–19:00 (may vary on Fridays and religious holidays)
- 🚶♂️ Visit Tips: Please dress neatly; remove shoes before entering the prayer hall; non-Muslim visitors should remain quiet and respectful
- 📌 Transportation: Take Metro Line 2 to Chaoyangmen Station, then walk about 1.2 km; alternatively, take bus to Hongfu Road Stop
- 💬 Reminder: Respect religious customs—no photography or loud noises allowed; guided tours can be arranged by prior appointment (contact required)
🌟 A temple, a thousand-year dialogue; a breath of incense, crossing the Silk Road.