The Great Mosque of Xi‘an

When you travel to Xi'an, the ancient capital of China, the Great Mosque situated in the center of the city is a place you should visit in any case. This Islamic mosque is located in the Moslem quarter but it's almost hidden and not so easy to find. It is surrounded by walls and for that reason not visible from the distance. If you have a tour guide on your Xi'an Tours you don't need to worry about it but if you want to look for it yourself you should either get a detailed map or ask locals in the Moslem quarter for directions; they certainly know how to get there. As for many other things it might be advisable to have the place you want to go to written in Chinese, even if you don't understand the answer exactly you can understand a little from the gestures and you'll at least be sent in the right direction. It is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved mosques in China and for that reason definitely worth a trip even if you are not in general interested in the religious aspect of it. With 25 RMB the entrance fee is not at all overpriced and you really get to see an old and original part of Xi'an and a great insight into another religion which played an important role in Chinese history. Compared to all the mainly Buddhist and Taoist temples there are only few well preserved mosques which are open to the public. But just looking at the architectural style and the artfully constructed elements is already worth the visit. The mosque's history dates back to the Tang Dynasty; carved stone tablets which are still preserved indicate that is was set up in 742 AD. It was restored and widened in the following dynasties which made it such a large and interesting historical architectural complex. Luckily, it escaped damage during the Cultural Revolution and is today protected and supported by the government and the Communist Party with special funds for renovations. The grounds of the mosque have a rectangular shape from the east to the west and the place is divided into four courtyards which are separated by beautiful archways, pavilions and gateways, constructed in different time periods. The Worship Hall is not open to the public; it can only be entered by worshippers. For about 30,000 Muslims living in Xi'an it is a crucial part of their religious life and many attend the daily prayers. This mosque is probably different from what you have in mind when you think about mosques in other countries. The Chinese influence in its architecture from different dynasties is clearly visible which makes the place even more interesting. If you visit the Drum Tower in Xi'an you almost automatically get to the Moslem quarter. So why would you want to miss out on the centerpiece? As a result of its location it's not too crowded with tourists, so you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and relax in this historical setting. On your China Tours you will probably get the chance to see different religious sites. The aspect that most of them have in common is that they build a contrast to the area surrounding them. No matter if it's a Buddhist temple, an Islamic mosque or Christian church; they all offer a place to escape the busy daily life for a moment. from China Travel Blog http://blog.chinatraveldepot.com

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