Niujie Mosque

Niujie Mosque is a historic site under national protection. Standing in Niujie Street in Xuanwu District. It is one of the oldest and best preserved mosques in China.

Historical records show that the mosque dates back to 996 A.D., or the 14th year of Tonghe reign in the Liao Dynasty. It was expanded in the early Yuan Dynasty. In 1474, or the 10th year of Chenghua reign in the Ming Dynasty, the emperor conferred on it the name “Libaisi” (Mosque). After its renovation in 1696 (the 35th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty), a plaque was hung above the gate that said “Libaisi, Conferred by the Emperor”. Most of its existing buildings were built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The mosque covers an area of about 6,000 square metes. Grand, solemn, and secluded, it is a classic of ancient Chinese architecture, a combination of traditional Chinese palace and the Arabic mosque. It has a symmetrical layout with a central axis. Before the west-facing gate there is a brick screen wall. Its main buildings are: Wangyue Tower, the chapel, and the minaret.

The chapel, which can house over 1,000 worshipers, is a perfect combination of traditional Chinese hall and Arabic decorative art. Supported by five front columns, it is has 42 bays in 7 halls, which are divided into 3 sections. The total floor space is over 600 square meters. Between the 18 main columns inside the chapel, which are decorated with golden patterns of vine-entwined peonies, are formed 21 Arabic-style pointed arches. Next to the arches are gilded inscriptions of the texts of the Koran and psalms on Allah and Mohammed in Arabic. The red floor is exquisitely decorated with gilded patterns. Next to the chapel stands a minaret for calling Muslims to prayer. On the east of the south sermon hall are the tombs of two Shaykhs. Made of bricks in the Yuan Dynasty they were renovated in modern times. Shaykhis a deferential title for aged, virtuous scholars of Islam. In the tombs are two Arabic priests that had preached in China. The well-preserved Arabic epitaph is a valuable cultural relic.

On the Festival of Fast-breaking, a traditional Islamic festival, Muslims come to the mosque for worship before they wish each other happiness and present to each other sacred oil and incense.

Address:No.88 Niujie, Xuanwu District, Beijing

Publishes at : 07-09-23 21:47

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