The Great Mosque

After touring the Drum Tower, we headed for the Muslim Quarter and the Great Mosque. You can enter the Muslim Quarter via the street that passes directly underneath the Drum Tower. This street is bustling with locals, vendors and tourists. There are many shops, markets and restaurants. This is really a fun place to immerse yourself in the local culture. And unfortunately, I was so stricken and taken by the place, I took no photographs! I kick myself when I think back on the many interesting image opportunities that I missed. Also, the Muslim Quarter is a great place to buy inexpensive souvenirs.

The entrance to the Great Mosque is down a small side street lined with vendors selling all kinds of wares. In fact, we missed the entrance not once, but twice! But this just gave us the opportunity to explore more side streets and roads off the beaten path.

The Great Mosque was originally constructed during the Tang Dynasty in 742 A.D. And it has been restored and improved ever since. It currently covers over 13,000 square meters. And it contains many impressive and beautiful archways, pagodas, and buildings including the Introspection Tower (right), shown here with worshipers passing by, and the One God Pavilion (left and below). There were many worshipers still in front of the main, large worship hall. So I did not photograph the hall out of respect to them. Many special artifacts are on display including a hand-written copy of the Koran, traditional Chinese calligraphy and many tablets with both Chinese and Arabic inscriptions.

We arrived at the Great Mosque just as prayers were ending and the local men were filing out of the main temple (to which access is limited to Muslims only). The architecture of the building and pagodas is amazing and the sculpted gardens are beautiful. This place was quiet and reflective, as is should be. And it was a nice place to slow down, relax and admire the surroundings.

Ticket for the Great Mosque