However, judging from its architectural style, it was probably built in the Ming Dynasty. Located less than 1 km northwest to the Drum Tower, the Great Mosque is the most famous among the 14 mosques of Xi'an as well as one of the oldest and largest ones of China. Your email address will not be published. The Stone Tablet on the Building of the Mosque says that it was built in the Tang Dynasty. Absorb the Islamic Architecture built in Chinese style; Originally built in Tang dynasty (618-907), Xi'an Great Mosque had been successively renovated and expanded into the largest complexes of Islamic architectures. The Xiaopiyuan Mosque was first built in the late of Tang Dynasty(618-907). It is the second largest mosque in Xian, next to the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane. The Stone Tablet on the Building of the Mosque says that it was built in the Tang Dynasty. The Great Mosque of Xian is the largest and best preserved of the early mosques of China. After a brief renaissance during the Republic period, Chinese Muslims became heavily persecuted by the Communists. Terms & Conditions. Today there are over 39,000 mosques in China, 25,000 of these are in Xinjiang, a north-west autonomous region, having a high density of one mosque per 500 muslims. According to historical records engraved on a stone tablet inside, this mosque was built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Masjid Agung Xian (2): Perpaduan Budaya China dan Islam – Gana Islamika, https://thetempletrail.com/xian-great-mosque/. RELATED READING: 5 Best Dishes in Xi’an. Their descendants are Muslim today. The layout of the Xi'an Great Mosque: Covering an area of over 1, 3000 square meters, Xi'an Great Mosque can be divided into four courtyards. A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the religion of Islam. The Great Mosque of Xian, located near the Drum Tower, is one of the oldest and most renowned mosques in the country. Here, deep in the country’s interior, was where Qin Shih Huang, who first united China in 221 BCE, built his capital, and where the Han and Sui Dynasties built theirs. Despite its great age and importance, the Great Mosque of Xi’an is not, in fact, China’s oldest extent mosque. Accurate or not, it is true that the oldest Chinese Islam… It was first built in the 700’s, though most the current complex dates from the 1300 to the 1700’s. Great Mosque Xi’an is one of China's four great mosque, and it is the earliest mosque in Xi’an that was built in Tianbao period of Tang dynasty (AD 742). Covering an area of 12,000 square meters, this mosque is completely Chinese in its architecture and design. Xian Xiaopiyuan Mosque 西安小皮园清真寺. An extraordinary achievement of medieval architecture, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, Spain was expanded three times after the original structure was completed in 787 CE. However, judging from its architectural style, it was probably built in the Ming Dynasty. Inside the mosque, you can find some hand-written copies of the Holy Quran which date back to the Qing Dynasty. Here, deep in the country’s interior, was where Qin Shih Huang, who first united China in 221 BCE, built his capital, and where the Han and Sui Dynasties built theirs. Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. Nevertheless Muslim communities sprouted up in many major cities, many of which survive to the present day. Sometime during the Tang dynasty period in the late 7th or early 8th century, the prosperous merchants and leaders of the burgeoning Islamic community of Xi’an constructed the Great Mosque of Xi’an. The pagoda-minaret may in fact have not originally been part of the mosque but might have been acquired or built at a later date. History: When was the Great Mosque of Xi’an built? Despite the fact that the earliest Muslims of China were of Arabic and/or Persian origin, the style of the mosque architecture is that of a traditional Chinese temple, with virtually no trace of Middle Eastern influences except for a few minor decorative touches. The largest Muslim community in China arose in Xi’an, which was both one of China’s largest cities as well as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. An active place of worship within Xi'an Muslim Quarter, this courtyard complex is also a popular tourist site. Xi'an Great Mosque - the Largest Mosque in China . According to historical records engraved on a stone tablet inside, this mosque was built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The nadir came during the Cultural Revolution, when many of China’s mosques were destroyed. Although first built in 742, the architecture visible today in Chang'an's Great Mosque (the Qingzhen Dasi) dates from the late Ming period, for example, its entrance gate was erected in 1600-1629. Last month, I visited one of the most fascinating churches I have ever been to, the almost completely ignored Basilica of St. Denis in the northern suburbs of Paris. Great Mosque Xi’an is the largest and best-preserved mosque in Xi’an, local people call it as East Great Mosque. The … [Read More...], by Glory Ali The City of Brotherly Love offers tons to see and do and get this, it’s FREE. The Great Mosque is the most sizable of its kind in the city of Xi'an, and also one of the oldest and best-preserved mosques in China. It is one of the first masques in Xi'an. For nearly a thousand years, until the rise of the Qing dynasty, Muslims were among the most educated, prosperous and influential ethnic groups in China. Xi'an Great Mosque is a combination of traditional Chinese architecture and Islamic art, constructed to honor the founders of Islam in China. Great Mosque. An ancient imperial capital and the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, Xi’an was the first city in China to be introduced to Islam. It is open to both Muslims and non-Muslims. Each of the four main building campaigns through 987 CE respected the spatial concept of the original: a walled-in courtyard and a hypostyle hall built on a grid of modular bays. The Great Mosque of Xi'an is the largest mosque in China. Click here for complete article, by Mary Neuhauser President Trump recently announced his intentions to move the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, thereby recognizing Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel. The most famous, and memorable, element of the Great Mosque is the minaret, which is in fact a three-story pagoda with an upper-level terrace from which prayers can be called. Till now, this awesome Islamic building group becomes a renowned tourist attraction at home and abroad, and used by Chinese Muslims (Hui people) as a place of worship. The Great Mosque of Xi’an is located next to the city’s famous Drum Tower close to the very center of Xi’an, approximately 580 miles southwest of Beijing. It was a time of great acceptance towards Islam in China and the predecessor of the Yongle Emperor, the Hongwu Emperor ( 洪武帝 Hóngwǔ Dì) had ten Muslim generals in his military in … Built during the Tang Dynasty in 742 AD, Xi’an’s Great Mosque is the oldest in China. In the ensuing centuries, Islam spread throughout China, mostly to the larger trade cities where Muslim traders commonly visited with their caravans. Xi'an Great Mosque (Chinese: 西安大清真寺) Brief Introduction The Great Mosque, located at 30 Huajue Lane in the center of the city, is the largest mosque in China and one of the hottest attractions for today. In a rather large scale covering an area of 6,000 square meters with a construction area of 2,700 square meters, Xi'an Daxuexi Lane Mosque is the second largest mosque in Xi'an after the Xi'an Great Mosque. Learn how your comment data is processed. The largest and best preserved of the ancient mosques of China, its buildings are a fascinating fusion of Chinese and Arabian styles. Absorb the Islamic Architecture built in Chinese style; Originally built in Tang dynasty (618-907), Xi'an Great Mosque had been successively renovated and expanded into the largest complexes of Islamic architectures. Learn more about the Great Mosque in this article. However, judging from its architectural style, it was probably built in the Ming Dynasty. Click here for […]. Xian Great Mosque was built in this period because people from the Middle East had a very good chance of trading, traveling, and relocating to China. Arguably built in 742, the 1st year of the Tianbao Period of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it reached today's scale by expansions made during the following Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties (960-1911). The Great Mosque of Xi’an was constructed sometime around the year 700 AD, and largely dates from this early period, though extensive renovations were undertaken in the 14th century. The Great Mosque is the most sizable of its kind in the city of Xi'an, and also one of the oldest and best-preserved mosques in China. The Great Mosque of Xi’an is a relic and symbol of that period, and for over thirteen centuries has been recognized as the most important mosque in China. According to fairly reliable tradition, Islam arrived in China as early as 650 AD during the reign of Uthman, the third Rashidun Caliph. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. Thank you for visiting! The Great Mosque began construction in 742 CE, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The Great Mosque of Djenné (French: Grande mosquée de Djenné, Arabic: الجامع الكبير في جينيه ) is a large banco or adobe building that is considered by many architects to be one of the greatest achievements of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style.The mosque is located in the city of Djenné, Mali, on the flood plain of the Bani River. The Great Mosque in Xian is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China and its location is northwest of the Drum Tower (Gu Lou) on Huajue Lane. Copyright © 2020 The Complete Pilgrim, LLC || Marietta, GA 30068 ||, 5 PLACES TO VISIT IN HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA – MUSLIM TRAVEL ROCKS, MOVING THE U.S. EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM – FAITH IN FAITHS. From the time of the mosque’s completion Xi’an was regarded by Chinese Muslims as the defacto capital of the Islamic religion in China. Xi’an – the Oldest Mosque. The first Muslim envoys reached China almost as early as the first Muslim armies reached North Africa, and began peacefully establishing communities there almost immediately. The Complete Pilgrim - Religious Travel Sites, Howard Kramer's, The Complete Pilgrim, Religious Travel Site, April 15, 2015 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. In its arrangement of courtyards and purely Chinese-style architecture, the mosque is visual evidence of the degree to which there was a syncretism of Islam and Chinese culture. The space, as it stands today, was constructed in 1392 during the Ming Dynasty, by navy admiral Zheng He, famous for ridding the China Sea of pirates and who is said to have deep roots in Islam. Here are some pics I took: Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? The Great Mosque began construction in 742 CE, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Built primarily in the Ming Dynasty when Chinese architectural elements were synthesized into mosque architecture, the mosque resembles a fifteenth century Buddhist temple with … It is also known as the Great East Mosque because of its large scale and location east of another mosque on the Dajue Alley of the City. After hiking along the Great Wall and wandering through the Forbidden City, we hopped on a bullet train headed to Xi’an. As of this writing no other visitor information was available. At the Start of the Silk Road Lies Xi’an’s Great Mosque By John Gee. Construction and Additions. The majority of the mosque was built during the early Ming dynasty.It now houses more than twenty … Luckily, the Great Mosque of Xi’an, which had stood intact for nearly thirteen centuries, was spared. We stayed at Northwest University. It is one of the first masques in Xi'an. Web: http://en1.xian-tourism.com (official tourism website of Xi’an). Today, it has an estimated population of 50,000 Hui Muslims and a total of seven mosques, the most notable of which is the Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Or maybe it’s better to call it a mosque complex. As Islam once again begins to grow and expand throughout China, the Great Mosque of Xi’an has once again resumed its place as the great symbol, and chief pilgrimage destination, of China’s Muslims. According to historical records engraved on a stone tablet inside, the Great Mosque was built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The mosque consists of some 20 buildings within its five courtyards. The Great Mosque in Xian is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China and its location is northwest of the Drum Tower (Gu Lou) on Huajue Lane. The Stone Tablet on the Building of the Mosque says that it was built in the Tang Dynasty. We would love to hear from you. The Great Mosque, located at 30 Huajue (Change Feeling) Lane in the center of the city, is the largest and one of the most important Islamic places of worship in China. Built primarily in the Ming Dynasty when Chinese architectural elements were synthesized into mosque architecture, the mosque resembles a fifteenth century Buddhist temple with … The Xiaopiyuan Mosque was first built in the late of Tang Dynasty(618-907). He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. The purpose of this article is to give you a brief overview of what this decision means and why it matters. The Stone Tablet on the Building of the Mosque says that it was built in the Tang Dynasty. Brief Introduction to the Great Mosque. Sometime during the Tang dynasty period in the late 7th or early 8th century, the prosperous merchants and leaders of the burgeoning Islamic community of Xi’an constructed the Great Mosque of Xi’an. Xi'an has a thriving tourist business, hosts archaeologists from every corner of the globe, and it also is building a diversified economy. The Great Mosque at Huajue Lane Xian is the largest and is also one of the oldest and best preserved mosques built in China.It is said to the mosque to be constructed in Tang Dynasty, according to the “the Stele on the Building of the Mosque”. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Many mosques including the Xi'an Great Mosque are built to honor them. Constructed in the Chinese style to blend in with existing places of worship, the Great Mosque is almost devoid of the traditional features of a Middle Eastern place of worship. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. These schools provide the educational base on which the economy is being built. Hours later, we made a quick stop in our hotel before taking a taxi to the Terra Cotta Warriors. It is also called the West Mosque. Some of the oldest cities in China once stood in Shaanxi Province. Great Mosque of Mecca, mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, built to enclose the Ka‘bah, the holiest shrine in Islam. Great Mosque of Damascus, the earliest surviving stone mosque, built between 705 and 715 CE by the Umayyad Caliph al-Walid I. At the Start of the Silk Road Lies Xi’an’s Great Mosque By John Gee. The Great Mosque of Xi'an is a tranquil and historic mosque that has served Xi'an's Muslim community for more than a millennium. The Great Mosque was added to the UNESCO Islamic Heritage List in 1985. Founded in 742, Great Mosque Xi’an is the oldest mosque in China. Later, it was renovated in Ming and Qing dynasties. The Great Mosque is the largest and best-preserved pre-modern architectural complex in Xi'an, and the world's only mosque in the form of a traditional Chinese garden. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). Inside the mosque complex you walk through four courtyards. The Great Mosque of Xian is the largest and best preserved of the early mosques of China. Wittenberg, Germany Islam entered China with Arab and Persian traders on the sea routes from India and Southeast Asia in the first century of Islam, the seventh century CE. This isn’t a garden, it’s a mosque. In the 20th century it … The Great Mosque is the most sizable of its kind in the city of Xi'an, and also one of the oldest and best-preserved mosques in China. The Great Mosque of Xi’an is the most sizable of its kind in the city of Xi'an, and also one of the oldest, biggest and best-preserved mosques in China. Even after all of these years, it is still one of the largest active mosques in the Far East, and one of the oldest effectively intact mosques still standing anywhere in the world. The Stone Tablet on the Building of the Mosque preserved here say that it was built in 742 in the Tang Dynasty. Some of the oldest cities in China once stood in Shaanxi Province. The Muslim played an important part in the unification of China in Yuan and Ming dynasties. Although first built in 742, the architecture visible today in Chang'an's Great Mosque (the Qingzhen Dasi) dates from the late Ming period, for example, its entrance gate was erected in 1600-1629. 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