Cow Street Mosque, Beijing

Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Niujie_Mosques02.jpg
Author: smartneddy


The Cow Street Mosque, or Niujie Mosque, is the oldest and biggest mosque in Beijing. It's a beautiful building, but at first sight, you wouldn't realise that it is a mosque. Actually it looks more like a Chinese temple. Nonetheless, as you inspect it closely, you will find Islamic calligraphy and Arabic verses decorating its halls and stone tablets.

The Cow Street Mosque was first built in the 10th century, and has since been renovated and rebuilt several times. Located at No. 18 Niu Jie, in the Hui District, it is close to other Muslim establishments such as restaurants and shops.

The Hui people that form this enclave are a Chinese Muslim minority group who migrated here from Ningxia Province. Today there are some 200,000 Hui people in Beijing. You can easily spot a Hui man by his beard and white skullcap.

The most treasured possession of the Cow Street Mosque is its 300-year-old handwritten Koran.

At its minaret, called Wangyue Lou, astronomical observations are made for the timing of the fasting months and Muslim festivals. In the courtyard are the graves of the two Arab missionaries who came to China during the Yuan Dynasty and established the mosque.

If you are not a Muslim, you are not permitted into the main prayer hall. Be sure to dress conservatively if you are visiting.

How to reach the Cow Street Mosque

Take the subway to the Xuanwu Men subway station, and then take a taxi from there. Alternatively take the subway to the Changchun Jie subway station, and then Bus No. 61. The Cow Street Mosque is open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. Stay away during prayer times and Fridays. There's an entrance fee of ¥10 for non Muslims.

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