Shaanxi Great Mosque

陕西大寺

Urumqi's largest Chinese-style mosque, built by Hui migrants from Shaanxi in the Qing dynasty. Upturned eaves and dougong brackets blend with Islamic decoration, making it a quiet historic landmark beside the Grand Bazaar.

Shaanxi Great Mosque is on Heping South Road in Tianshan District, about a 10-minute walk north of the Grand Bazaar. Construction began in the Qianlong era of the Qing dynasty, built by Hui migrants from Shaanxi, and it was expanded in the Guangxu era. It is Urumqi's largest and oldest mosque and Xinjiang's most important Chinese-style (Han-style) mosque, and it is a national key cultural heritage site.

Unlike the domed Islamic buildings around the Grand Bazaar, Shaanxi Great Mosque follows the layout of a traditional Chinese temple. The gate, second gate and prayer hall are arranged along a central axis. The prayer hall is a seven-bay wooden structure with a hip-and-gable roof, and not a single iron nail was used in the hall. The beams and rafters combine Arabic scripture with Chinese painting and brick carving. Behind the hall is an octagonal kiln hall (the rear kiln). The compound is peaceful and is mostly visited by local Hui elders for prayer.

Non-Muslim visitors may enter the courtyard outside prayer times, for free or a nominal fee. Entering the hall requires removing your shoes and obtaining permission. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and women should wear a headscarf. The mosque is closed to visitors at midday on Fridays during the congregational prayer.

Nearby Heping South Road and Shanxi Lane are commercial districts of Hui and Uyghur residents, with long-established halal restaurants. A visit takes about 30 minutes and can be combined with the Grand Bazaar and Erdaoqiao.

Notes: Photography is not allowed inside the hall. Do not walk around in front of the hall during prayers.

Shaanxi Great Mosque

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