Great Mosque of Xi'an

Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

One of the oldest and most significant mosques in China, blending traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic function. Located in the historic Muslim Quarter of Xi'an, the ancient terminus of the Silk Road.

Historical Context

Islam reached China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) through Arab and Persian merchants traveling the Silk Road. The Great Mosque was traditionally dated to 742 CE, though the current structures primarily date to the Ming and Qing dynasties (14th–18th centuries). The mosque complex covers 12,000 square meters and is organized along an east-west axis — oriented toward Mecca while following the traditional Chinese courtyard plan. It features four successive courtyards with pavilions, steles, and gardens. The main prayer hall, the Phoenix Pavilion, accommodates over 1,000 worshippers beneath a traditional Chinese roof structure. Interior decorations combine Arabic calligraphy with Chinese …