Great Mosque of Hohhot
清真大寺
A Hui mosque first built in the Qing era, combining traditional Chinese halls with Arabic-style features, and surrounded by the Hui quarter, where lamb dishes and noodles are plentiful.
The Great Mosque of Hohhot is on Tongdao North Street in the Hui District. It was first built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing, and it is the oldest and largest mosque in Hohhot. The main buildings are in traditional Chinese hall style, and the prayer hall roof has small Arabic-style domes. The Moon-Watching Tower, also called the Call-to-Prayer Tower, is a hexagonal tower where visitors can climb up for views over the Hui District. The mosque holds cultural relics, including a manuscript of the Quran in Arabic. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome to tour the grounds, but the prayer hall is generally closed to the public. Dress modestly and avoid disturbing worship during prayer times. Admission is low or free (check locally). The streets around the mosque are the heart of the Hui community, with lamb shaomai, lamb offal, baozi, and shaozi, a range of halal snacks, so you can sample them on your way. It is about 2 km from Da Zhao.
Opening hours
Approx. 8:00 am–6:00 pm (visits restricted during services)
Nearby sights
- Xilitu Zhao (Shiretu Juu)
- Dazhao Temple
- Ulanhu Memorial Hall
- Saishang Old Street
- Five Pagoda Temple (Cideng Temple)
- Mansion of Princess Kejing
- Suiyuan General's Yamen
- Daqingshan Wildlife Zoo