The Dongguan Mosque is one of famous
mosques in Northwest China. It is located in eastern Xiling City, and is the
largest mosque in Qinghai Province and one of the four greatest mosques in
Northwest China. It was established during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and has
a history of about six hundred years. It is the most well preserved ancient
building, as well as the center and the highest-level institution of Islamic
learning in Northwest China.
There is a complex of traditional Chinese
palace-style buildings in the mosque. The gate of the mosque is actually a
decorated archway with the name of the mosque on it. One pavilion-like building
of about 8 meters high stands on each side of the courtyard, and is designed for
the imam to call the prayers to worship. The main worship hall faces the east,
therefore the prayers can pray facing the holy city of Mecca. Its wall is made
of great cyan stones, and its roof is decorated with colored glaze. The ridge of
the hall is decorated with Tibetan style Aquarius. The majestic and hushful main
worship hall resembles a palace of the Han nationality There are two-storeyed
ambulatory-like wing halls on both sides of the main worship hall. A water hall
is built in the mosque for prayers to wash their hands and feet before they
enter the worship hall. Islamites worship on every Friday. Thousands of
Islamites come to the mosque and religiously say prayers while facing the
west.