Dongguan Grand Mosque, Xining – A Major Jumu’ah Mosque in China

Dongguan Grand Mosque (西宁东关清真大寺), commonly known as the “Camel Mosque,” is one of the five major Jumu’ah mosques in China. Covering an area of 21,951 square meters, it was first built in the 20th year of the Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu reign (1380).

The mosque follows a traditional courtyard layout, consisting of the main gate, five gates, the minaret, north and south side towers, and the prayer hall. The construction of the mosque was a symbol of ethnic unity, with assistance and donations from Tibetan and Tu communities, as well as Han Chinese, including contributions from the Labrang and Ta’er Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism. A gilded treasure vase, a significant gift from these monasteries, is installed on the prayer hall’s rooftop and the minaret, signifying cultural integration. Additionally, a plaque inscribed by prominent figure Mr. You Ren with the words “Dongguan Grand Mosque of Xining” adorns the entrance, reflecting the harmonious coexistence of Hui, Han, Tibetan, and Tu ethnic groups in the region.

Table of Contents

• Basic Information
• Location and Transportation
• Highlights of Dongguan Grand Mosque
  • Prayer Hall
  • The Front Gate
  • Minaret
  • Stone Steles
• Vlog about Dongguan Grand Mosque
• History of Dongguan Grand Mosque

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

Dongguan Grand Mosque is located at No. 34 Dongguan Street, Chengdong District, Xining, Qinghai Province, China. To get there, you can take bus 62, 101, or 1002 and get offf at Dongshaomen Stop (东稍门站, Dongshao Gate Stop).

Highlights of Dongguan Grand Mosque

Prayer Hall

The prayer hall of the Dongguan Grand Mosque faces east and is built on a platform atop nine levels of granite steps. Covering an area of 1,120 square meters, the hall is the main structure of the mosque and features a traditional imperial-style design with intricately carved beams, painted eaves, and upward-curving roof ridges, resembling the “Phoenix Spreading Its Wings.” It consists of three parts: the front canopy, the main hall, and the rear Mihrab hall. The spacious interior can accommodate over 3,000 worshippers at the same time. The rear Mihrab hall is where the Imam leads the prayer, and the north side contains the “Minbar,” a pulpit for sermons. The floor is lined with neatly arranged prayer rugs, and the interior is adorned with Arabic calligraphy, geometric patterns, floral motifs, and intricate brick and wood carvings, showcasing distinctive Islamic decorative art.

The Front Gate

The front gate of the mosque is a grand rectangular archway that faces north towards Dongguan Street in Xining. It follows a paifang (archway) design with brick construction, featuring square pillars made of a combination of mudbrick and blue brick. The pillars have a protruding brick design, adding layers of depth and elegance. The top of the gate is decorated with an openwork treasure vase, giving the structure a refined appearance. This design, with integrated pillars and gates, incorporates elements of Western architecture, earning it the nickname “Western-style gate.” Above the central entrance is a plaque with an inscription by the prominent Republican-era statesman Mr. You Ren, reading “Dongguan Grand Mosque of Xining.” The imposing structure of the front gate stands in stark contrast to the surrounding traditional homes and shops of the time, further emphasizing the grandeur of the mosque.

Minaret

The minaret stands tall at the north and south ends of the Five Gates, a fundamental architectural element of the mosque. It is used for the call to prayer and for observing the crescent moon to mark the start and end of Ramadan. Additionally, the minaret serves as an important artistic and symbolic structure of the mosque. The tower is three stories tall with a hexagonal design, combining a wooden pavilion on top and a brick-and-wood structure below. Its architectural style blends the characteristics of both “dense eaves towers” and “pavilion-style towers,” creating a visually striking and functional piece of Islamic architecture.

Stone Steles

The Dongguan Grand Mosque in Xining preserves two stone steles from the Republican era, which are significant Islamic relics in Qinghai Province. One stele, erected in 1922, is titled “Reconstruction of Xining Mosque Stele Inscription,” and the other, from 1948, is titled “Reconstruction of Dongguan Mosque Stele Inscription.” These inscriptions not only document two major reconstructions of the mosque but also detail the historical process of Islam’s introduction and development in China.

Vlog about Dongguan Grand Mosque

History of Dongguan Grand Mosque

The Dongguan Grand Mosque in Xining has a rich history dating back to the Ming Dynasty. During the Hongwu period (1368–1398), Mu Ying, an adopted son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang and a prominent Hui general, led two expeditions to the northwest as Vice General of the Western Campaign and Marquis of Xiping. He petitioned the court for approval to expand and renovate the mosque. In 1380, construction of the mosque began, overseen by Mu Ying, who was responsible for guarding the Gansu, Qinghai, and Ningxia regions. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang gave his imperial endorsement for the project and personally inscribed the mosque’s “Hundred Word Eulogy.” The mosque’s expansion was led by two religious leaders, Ye Zhenguo and his brother Ye Zhengming, who introduced the “three-teaching system,” which allowed multiple leaders to jointly manage the mosque, improving its administration.

During the Yongle period (1403–1424), a key religious leader, Nur, engaged in cultural exchanges with regions such as Hami and Turpan in Xinjiang, further increasing the mosque’s influence.

In the late Qing Dynasty, during the Tongzhi era (1862–1875), the mosque was destroyed by Qing troops following the failure of a Hui rebellion. It was subsequently restored, only to be burned down again by Qing forces in 1896.

In 1913, during the Republican era, a proposal to rebuild the mosque was put forward by imams Ma Fuhai and Ma Jinchun. The reconstruction, completed in 1914 with support from Ma Qi, a prominent military leader, saw the building of five worship halls, a three-story minaret, and various auxiliary structures. However, due to a rushed construction and lack of expertise, the prayer hall’s orientation did not face Mecca properly. In 1919, Ma Wanfuh, the founder of the Ikhwan movement, recommended reconstructing the prayer hall to correct its orientation. This was approved, and in 1921, the new mosque was completed, featuring a grand prayer hall that became known as the most magnificent mosque in the region. The project was further honored with gilded sutra tubes gifted by the Jamyang Rinpoche of Labrang Monastery, which were installed on the roof.

In 1946, the mosque underwent another expansion, which included the construction of additional buildings such as two towers, a pond, over 80 dining and lodging rooms, and a Western-style gate. Following this, it was officially named “Xining Dongguan Grand Mosque.”

In 1998, in line with Xining’s urban development plans, the mosque’s committee initiated renovations to expand the mosque, adding a main gate building, commercial buildings, and towers, increasing the mosque’s total area by 12,700 square meters. The old front gates were preserved as cultural relics, and the new main gate building was crowned with a dome, topped with the Islamic crescent moon symbol. Two 45-meter-high minarets were added to either side of the main gate.