The Lanzhou Nanguan Grand Mosque (兰州南关清真大寺), also known as the Gongnanmen Mosque or Nanshao Gate Mosque, is situated between the former South Gate and the Gonglan Gate (also known as the South Archway Gate) in Lanzhou City. It stands as one of the six most renowned mosques in Lanzhou since the Ming and Qing dynasties, initially constructed during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1398). The present-day grand mosque was rebuilt in 1986.
The history of the mosque dates back to 1376, during the Ming Hongwu Emperor‘s reign, when the Ma family, prominent residents who had migrated from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, under the patronage of Ming Prince Zhu Mo, initiated the fundraising efforts for its construction. Between 1436 and 1449, during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yingzong, the mosque was relocated within the Nanshao Gate city precinct to Xiaowen Street (now known as Jiuquan Street). In 1785, during the Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong’s reign, the Nanguan Grand Mosque was relocated and rebuilt at its current location.
Architecturally, the mosque faces west and features an imposing green domed main hall that catches the eye with its clear and fresh green-white color scheme. Upon entry, visitors are greeted by an octagonal-shaped screen wall, 3 meters high and 5 meters wide, leading to the staircase to the second-floor main hall. The ground floor houses administrative offices, the imam’s lecture hall, reading rooms, exhibition halls, and reception rooms. On the second-floor platform, facing the main entrance of the prayer hall, are aluminum alloy tea-colored glass double doors adorned with a prominent green plaque reading “道阐天方” (Spread the Way of Heaven).
Inside the prayer hall, the central focus is the “mihrab,” adorned with yellow metal strips and green plastic boards inscribed with verses from the Quran. The dome above is a sight to behold, with its majestic height and pristine white interior. Throughout the hall, the floor is covered with green carpets, upon which nine rows of pure woolen blue prayer mats are neatly arranged, adding an air of elegance and dignity to the worship space. Visitors can gaze upwards to the third-floor prayer hall and the spherical inner dome of the main hall, which completes the spiritual ambiance of the mosque.
The Lanzhou Nanguan Grand Mosque not only serves as a place of worship but also stands as a testament to the rich cultural and architectural heritage of Lanzhou, offering visitors a glimpse into the city’s deep-rooted Muslim community and their enduring traditions.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 19.00 |
Location and Transportation
The Lanzhou Nanguan Grand Mosque is located at No. 256 Jiujquan Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 8, 15, 31, 71, 87, 146, or K102, get off at Nanguan Shenzi Stop (南关什字站), and walk about 200 meters to the south to reach the temple.
Metro: The closest metro station to Lanzhou Nanguan Grand Mosque is Provincial Government (省政府站) on line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit B, walk about 700 meters to the south to reach the site.
