The Great Mosque of Xi'an is located near the Drum Tower on 30 Huajue Lane of Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China. The mosque covers 12,000 square meters.
It is the oldest and one of the most renowned mosques in the country, founded in 742 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). However, the majority of the existing Xi’an Great Mosque was constructed during the Ming Dynasty and further expanded in the Qing Dynasty. It remains a popular tourist site of Xi'an, and is still used by Chinese Muslims (mainly the Hui people) today as a place of worship. Unlike most mosques in Middle Eastern or Arab countries, the Great Mosque of Xi'an is completely Chinese in its construction and architectural style, except for some Arabic lettering and decorations, for the mosque has neither domes nor traditional-style minarets.
In Xian, it is really well worth a trip to see the Great Mosque, not only for its centuries-old history but also for its particular design of mixed architecture - traditional Muslim and Chinese styles.Occupying an area of over 12,000 square meters, the mosque is divided into four courtyards, 250 meters long and 47 meters wide with a well-arranged layout. Landscaped with gardens, the further one strolls into its interior, the more serene one feels.
Admission Fee:
CNY 25 (March-November); CNY 15 (December, January, February)