When embarking on China Travels you not only come across a culinary adventure there are also many cultural experiences that are a world apart from what one presumes as being ‘normal’. Hence, it is advised that you book your China Tour and begin exploring new heights.
Located near the Drum Tower on Huajue Lane of Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China, is the oldest and one of the most renowned mosques in the country founded in the year 742 (according to historical records engraved on a stone tablet inside). The Great Mosque in Xian is one of the largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China.
It was built and renovated in later periods, especially during the reign of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty. Even today it remains a popular tourist site of Xi’an, and is still used by Chinese Muslims as a place of worship. Unlike most mosques in Middle Eastern or Arab countries, the Great Mosque of Xi’an is completely Chinese in its construction and architectural style, except for some Arabic lettering and decorations. The mosque does not incorporate the traditional domes or styles of the many other world wide mosques.
The mosque was built as a result of Islam being introduced into Northwest China by Arab merchants and travelers from Persia and Afghanistan during the mid-7th century when some of them settled down in China and married women of Han Nationality. Their descendants are now the Muslim’s of today in that area. The Muslims played an important role in the unifications of China during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Hence, other mosques were also built to honor them.
When visiting Xian, it is definitely well worth a trip to see the Great Mosque, not only for its centuries-old history but also for its particular design of mixed architecture, traditional Muslim and Chinese styles. Occupying an area of over 12,000 square meters, the Great Mosque is divided into four courtyards, 250 meters long and 47 meters wide. Landscaped gardens give the mosque a scenic setting and ads tranquility into the surroundings.
The first courtyard contains an decorative wooden arch nine meters high covered with glazed tiles which dates back to the 17th century. In the center of the second courtyard, a stone arch stands with two steels on both sides. One steel is the encrypted with the calligraphy of Mi Fu of the Song Dynasty; whilst the second one is scripted with the words from Dong Qichang, a calligrapher of the Ming Dynasty. Their elegant yet powerful selections of Chinese characters are considered to be a great treasure to the locals.
In the entrance to the third courtyard is a corridor that contains many steles from ancient times. As this courtyard is one of the main entrances, visitors will see the Xingxin Tower, a place where Muslims come to attend prayer services. A ‘Phoenix’ placed in the fourth courtyard, the principal pavilion of this great mosque complex, contains the Prayer Hall, the surrounding walls of which are covered with colored designs. The Prayer Hall can easily hold up to 1,000 people at a time and according to traditional custom, prayer services are held five times everyday respectively at dawn, noon, afternoon, dusk and night.
This Great Mosque is the only one open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Non-Muslims, however, are not allowed to be admitted to the main prayer hall or allowed in during times of prayer.
To gain further cultural knowledge and see the diverse range of cultures in china today, book your China Flights and be amazed.
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