Would you like to experience the Muslim culture in China? The following five mosques are the oldest ones in China, which are absolutely your first-hand experience of Muslim culture.
The Great Mosque of Xian is thought to have existed as early as the seventh century. The mosque occupies a narrow lot about 48 meters by 248 meters, and the precinct walls enclose a total area of 12,000 square meters. Successive courtyards on a single axis with pavilions and pagodas adapted to suit Islamic functions. Unlike a typical Buddhist temple, the grand axis of the Great Mosque of Xian is aligned from east to west, facing Mecca. Five successive courtyards, each with a signature pavilion, screen, or freestanding gateway, lead to the prayer hall located at the western end of the axis.
Beijing's most historical and majestic mosque, The Niujie (Ox Street), is situated on Niujie Street in the city's Xuanwu District. First built back in 995, the mosque has a history that stretches back over a thousand years, in which time it has undergone numerous refits and extensions, and has greeted Muslims from all over the world to worship. The mosque covers an area of over 6000 square meters, and is structurally based on traditional Chinese wooden palaces, yet adopts a typical Arabic-style of decoration. There are no human or animal figures among these decorations as these are considered taboo in Islam.
The Dongguan Giant Mosque was built in the Hongwu Reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1398). It has been a history of more than 600 years as yet. The mosque covers a total area of 13,602 square meters. The majestic building blends the features of ancient Chinese architecture and Islam. It faces north. The former main entrance of the mosque is the “First Three Gates”, namely, one big and two small green west-style gates. They are 10 meters high and 15 meters wide.
Located in the highland of northwest corner of ancient city in Tongxin County, Tongxin Mosque is one of the mosques with the longest history and the largest scale at present. The figure of Tongxin Mosque is quite different from those in the hinterland which is much like a gate tower. The temple is set up on a brick-constructed dado which is 10 meters high and with an area of 3,500 square meters. The temple’s main construction part is the main hall of a Buddhist temple and Bangke Tower. It integrates our country’s traditional timberwork, Islamic woodcarving and brick-carved decoration art to become one.
Etigar Mosque, located on the Public Square in the middle of the city, is the biggest in China occupying an area of 16,800 square meters. The mosque has a light greenish color with delicately carved flowery patterns. The entrance of the Etigar Mosque was made into a 12-squaremeter archway, which is giant as tall as 17 meters but delicately decorated. There are 15 beautiful frescos along the walls of the archway. The clusters of temples stretch out 140 meters north to south, and 120 meters west to east.