The Dongguan Mosque is one of famous mosques
in Northwest China. It is located in eastern Xiling City, and
is the largest mosque in Qinghai Province and one of the four
greatest mosques in Northwest China. It was established during
the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and has a history of about six
hundred years. It is the most well preserved ancient building,
as well as the center and the highest-level institution of Islamic
learning in Northwest China.
There is
a complex of traditional Chinese palace-style buildings in the
mosque. The gate of the mosque is actually a decorated archway
with the name of the mosque on it. One pavilion-like building
of about 8 meters high stands on each side of the courtyard,
and is designed for the imam to call the prayers to worship.
The main worship hall faces the east, therefore the prayers
can pray facing the holy city of Mecca. Its wall is made of
great cyan stones, and its roof is decorated with colored glaze.
The ridge of the hall is decorated with Tibetan style Aquarius.
The majestic and hushful main worship hall resembles a palace
of the Han nationality There are two-storeyed ambulatory-like
wing halls on both sides of the main worship hall. A water hall
is built in the mosque for prayers to wash their hands and feet
before they enter the worship hall. Islamites worship on every
Friday. Thousands of Islamites come to the mosque and religiously
say prayers while facing the west.
