Grand Mosque, Datong – A Renowned Site Built in 628

The Grand Mosque in Datong (大同清真大寺), one of the two renowned ancient mosques in Shanxi Province, boasts a rich history of over 1,200 years. According to the inscription on a stele re-erected in the 7th year of the Qianlong reign (1742), the mosque was originally built in the 2nd year of the Zhenguan reign of the Tang Dynasty (628). This makes it significantly older than the Dongsi Mosque (Faming Mosque) in Beijing, which serves as the center for Muslim prayers, gatherings, and festival activities and the headquarters of the Islamic Association of China, by 670 years.

The main structure of the mosque is the grand prayer hall, composed of four groups of halls. The front features a veranda-style portico, the main body consists of two groups of halls with gable and hip roofs, and the rear combines a veranda roof with a domed roof. The entire prayer hall covers an area of 490 square meters. Its design, with soaring eaves and majestic appearance, represents the typical architectural style of Ming and Qing Dynasty mosques. Arabic inscriptions adorn the lintels, bearing the words “Masjid” and “Tazmim.” The mosque also includes ancillary rooms, ablution facilities, and other structures, covering a total area of 4,000 square meters. The architectural layout emphasizes harmonious symmetry, with exquisite craftsmanship, making it a historic landmark in Datong.

The prayer hall spans more than twenty rooms, with its centerpiece being the “Mihrab,” a wall niche facing Mecca. The mihrab features a marked spot where the imam stands during prayers. Historically, a spear was placed in the ground to signify this spot, later replaced by an arch-shaped niche on the wall inscribed with Quranic verses, exuding elegance and clarity. The northwest wall hosts a pulpit for leading religious ceremonies, a unique feature of Islamic prayer halls. The hall’s design includes three arched doors, characteristic of Arabic architecture. The prayer hall’s dome, constructed from bricks and tiles, stands without any wooden beams. The dome’s center is topped by an octagonal “Bagua-shaped top,” a traditional wooden structure resembling a solid-walled round pavilion, adorned with glazed tiles that gleam under sunlight, imparting a sense of solemnity. The hall also features “caisson ceilings,” similar to those found in Chinese temples, incorporating elements of Buddhist culture. The interior decoration is minimal, with Arabic script as the only ornamental feature.

In front of the prayer hall lies an open hall, flanked by numerous ancient Chinese stone steles. These steles document the mosque’s history and the donations and repairs it has undergone through the centuries, with many dating back to the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. These inscriptions are valuable records of historical and modern texts.

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

The Grand Mosque is located at 5 Jiulou Alley, Daxi Street, Datong Ancient City, Pingcheng District, Datong, Shanxi Province, China. To get there, you can take bus 38 and get off at Sipailou Stop (四牌楼站).