Day 3(pt2): Xi'an Great Mosque

The Great Mosque in Xi'an is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China. The mosque is located somewhere behind the bazaar of the Muslim Quarters. I am writing this entry with reference from some info in the internet. Like I tell you earlier... I have so much to share on the beautiful Xi'an Great Mosque :))

I personally find the mosque very, very fascinating! It's not a typical mosque we've seen in Malaysia or any other Islamic countries. The design of Xi'an Great Mosque is amazingly unique and beautiful -  blend of Chinese & Muslim architecture & traditions.

According to historical records engraved on a stone tablet inside, it was built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). This was a result of Islam being introduced into Northwest China by Arab merchants and travellers from Persia and Afghanistan during the mid-7th century when some of them settled down in China and married women of Han Nationality. Their descendants became Muslim of today. The Muslim played an important role in the unifications of China during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Tradition says the Great Mosque was founded by the naval admiral Cheng Ho, son of a prestigious Muslim family who became famous for expelling pirates from the China Sea... wallahualam. That means this mosque is more than 1200+ years old! Oh wow.... amazing!

The mosque entrance.

The entry fee is 25 RMB but if you're a Muslim... they would allow you to come FOC :) When hubby entered the mosque on day 2.. .he had to pay the fee to enter the mosque for Dzuhur prayer. But when Izzaty and I joined him on the 3rd day, we were allowed to enter without paying anything... .:))) It's probably because we were wearing hijab, and the man at the gate automatically knew we are Malaysian Muslim :) So the trick is... if you're a Muslem... tell them so! They would allow you to enter the mosque FOC, insyaAllah :)

Occupying an area of over 12,000 square meters, the mosque has 4 courtyards, leading to a prayer hall (off-limits to non-Muslims - Alhamdulillah we Muslims are allowed to enter the prayer hall which awe me so much!) at the western end of the site. Each courtyard has a monumental pavilion or gate.

Landscaped with gardens, each courtyards has its own beauty... Subhanallah! We had an amazing time walking around the mosque's garden!

Let me see, if I can remember each courtyard... (please forgive me if I got the the info wrong -_-)... 

The first courtyard entrance has an elaborate wooden arch as entrance to the mosque beautiful garden.

Scenery around the first courtyard... 

Entrance to 2nd Courtyard... 

Surrounding of 2nd courtyard...

Entrance to the 3rd courtyard

Here in the 3rd courtyard,  there is Xingxin Tower -  brick tower that is over over ten meters tall with three stories separated by eaves and wrapped by wooden balconies. However, on the day I stepped food on this mosque ground, the tower is closed for renovation :((

So I missed the golden opportunity to see this 'pagoda-like' building... ;'((

*google pic*

The entrance to the 4th courtyard

In 4th courtyard, stands the Phoenix Pavilion or the Feng Hua Ting. Built during the Qing Dynasty, the pavilion is said to resemble a phoenix with its outstretched wings and interrupts direct view to the prayer hall. 




 Beyond the Phoenix Pavilion are two small pools, now containing fountains, set astride the central axis, followed by the stone "Cloud Gateways" of the granite "Moon Platform" preceding the prayer hall. 

The prayer hall, preceded by a large platform, is at the western end of the 4th courtyard.

The prayer hall. 

Entrance of  the prayer hall. Only Muslims are allowed to enter the prayer hall. Those non-muslim tourists are only allowed to take pictures behind the gate. 

Inside the prayer hall. These pictures are taken by hubby during his Dzuhur jemaah prayer...

Women are not allowed to join the jemaah prayer, when I asked the locals where I should pray... a nice chinese lady lead me to this place... (which is located a few mins walk outside the mosque area)...

Anyway, back to the mosque... I finally got the chance to enter the prayer hall after my Dzuhur prayer... Alhamdulillah. 

The mihrab

Hubby at the mimbar of the mosque

The mosque carpet.

The mosque's ceiling

I found it fascinating to see the wall surrounding this prayer hall to be engraved with Surah Al Quran (full surahs of the whole Quran) with Chinese translation at the bottom...

We searched for surah Yassin on the wall and found it :)) SubanaAllah... this is so beautiful!

Yours truly busy capturing the beauty of this mosque.. :)) 

The side door of the prayer hall... 

The three of us in-front of the prayer hall. Thank you Allah for giving us the opportunity to visit this wonderful place... 

More beautiful scenery captured at the mosque... 

Love this pic.. but I do look fat in it :P

Just outside the mosque, we found this small shop which sells things that we like :))

This tea sets has arabic encryption on them.They are all beautiful!

But this set is the nicest! Oh yes... we bought the whole set! :)) It has "La ila ha illallah" written on it. (I didn't get it at the beginning.... but the lady in the shop explained it).

Okay... on a different topic, just to share what we ate for lunch on that day.... 

Cek lapaq.... makan dulu no...  bismillahirahman nirahim... :))

Will continue on Day 3 part 3 soon... ;)