Xi’an, Shaanxi – China
Coordinates: 34.263300, 108.936400
The Great Mosque of Xi’an is the largest mosque in China. It was first built in the year 742 CE.
An active place of worship within Xi’an Muslim Quarter, this courtyard complex is also a popular tourist site.
The structure was built since 8th century when the religion was introduced by the Arabic merchants, through Silk Road. They eventually settled and married in China.
The majority of the mosque was built during the early Ming dynasty.
It now houses more than twenty buildings in its five courtyards, and covers 12,000 square metres.
The mosque is also known as the Huajue Mosque, for its location on 30 Huajue Lane. It is sometimes called the Great Eastern Mosque, as well, because it sits east of another of Xi’an’s oldest mosques, Daxuexi Alley Mosque
As you walk from the main entrance to the Mosque, you will pass-through 4 or 5 different gateways and courtyards. The lovely landscaped walkway goes from one end to the other through these centuries old gateways.
History
Islam was introduced to China during the Ming Dynasty in the seventh century, but went into full effect during the Qing Dynasty in 1644. When trying to integrate the different groups of people, people would gravitate more towards Chinese tradition due to feelings of superiority.
During the 1700s, Muslim freedom of worship was limited, the ritual slaughtering of animals were forbidden, new mosques and the pilgrimage to Mecca was prohibited in the year 1731.
After the Chinese Communist Party won the Chinese Civil War the Mosque was shut down and converted into a steel factory.
In 1956, the mosque was declared a Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the Shaanxi Province Level, and was later promoted to a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in 1988.
Beware of local Guides misguidance
The setting and the architecture of the Mosque and its surrounding square and buildings are interesting. What’s more interesting is to listen to a Chinese guide talk about the mosque and the Muslim community. The guides point out, as a matter of pride, that China has 55 minority groups.
The official line is that they are well integrated and treated well. Since they constitute a miniscule percentage of the population, it would be surprising if many of the guides had ever actually encountered a member of a minority group.
Nevertheless, they hasten to reassure you how much the minorities are tolerated before they launch into the story of the Uighurs murdering 30 people at a railway station in 2014.
All guides in China are trained by and licensed by the government, the Communist Party. They parrot the party line while apparently unaware of the Uighur genocide or the purpose of China’s re-education “camps.”
Know This
Just go from the Drum tower in the Muslim Market Area and directly turn left in the Street with a lots of stuff like souvenir.
Just keep walking and will see an old Wall and after this you can turn left and there is the Entrance.
Non muslims are forbidden into the main one as it is just for praying.
