MY TRAVEL INFO: MADIAN MOSQUE AND NIUJIE MOSQUE, BEIJING

MADIAN MOSQUE, BEIJING, CHINA

Located in the Haidian District, the Madian MosqueClick to open side panel for more information is one of Beijing’s most significant historical religious sites. It serves as a central hub for the local Hui Muslim community, which has a long history in the Madian area dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

• History & Significance: The mosque was originally constructed during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1661–1722) of the Qing Dynasty to accommodate the growing Muslim population in the area. During the Cultural Revolution, it was temporarily repurposed as a factory, but it was returned to the Muslim community and fully restored as a place of worship in 1982.
• Architecture: The complex is designed in a traditional Chinese courtyard style (Siheyuan), spanning approximately 3,800 square meters. Key structures include a main prayer hall, north and south lecture halls, and dedicated prayer facilities for women. The interior features many plaques engraved with Arabic calligraphy, blending Islamic content with local architectural heritage.
• Visitor Guidelines: Visitors should dress modestly, covering arms and legs, and remove shoes before entering the prayer areas. It is generally recommended for non-worshippers to avoid visiting during the five daily prayer times and the Friday congregational prayers to ensure the services are not disturbed.

NIUJIE MOSQUE, BEIJING

The Niujie Mosque (牛街礼拜寺), also known as the Oxen Street Mosque, is the oldest and largest mosque in Beijing. Located in the Xicheng District, it serves as the spiritual center for roughly 10,000 Muslims living in the surrounding Niujie area, which is the largest Muslim neighborhood in the city.

Historical Development

The mosque has been a fixture of Beijing's religious landscape for over a millennium, surviving through multiple dynasties:

• Foundation (996 CE): It was founded during the Liao Dynasty by an Arab scholar named Nazaruddin (or Nasr al-Din).
• Destruction and Rebuilding: After being destroyed by Genghis Khan's forces in 1215, it was rebuilt in 1443 during the Ming Dynasty.
• Imperial Recognition: In 1474, the Chenghua Emperor granted the mosque the official name "Libaisi" (House of Worship).
• Qing Expansion: The mosque was significantly expanded in 1696 under the Kangxi Emperor.

Architectural Style

The mosque is famous for its harmonious blend of traditional Chinese palace architecture and Islamic artistic motifs.

• Exterior: From the outside, the timber-structure buildings resemble traditional Chinese temples, featuring curved roofs, red pillars, and a symmetrical Siheyuan (courtyard) layout.
• Interior: The inside is richly decorated with Islamic influences, including Arabic calligraphy (some in the rare Al-Kufi script), wood carvings, and geometric patterns.

Key Structures:

• Prayer Hall: A 600-square-meter space that can accommodate more than 1,000 worshippers. Non-Muslims are generally not permitted to enter the hall itself.
• Wangyue Building (Moon Watching Tower): A hexagonal tower used for astronomical observations and determining the start of Ramadan.
• Bangge Building (Minaret): A two-story tower used for the call to prayer.

Notable Features & Relics

• Ancient Tombs: The courtyard houses the graves of two Persian imams, Ahmad Burdani (d. 1320) and Ali (d. 1283), who traveled to China to spread Islam.
• Cultural Artifacts: The mosque holds an ancient Quran over 300 years old, a 10th-century copper cauldron used for communal meals, and various stone steles recording its history.
• The "Four Without" Carving: A unique screen wall carving depicting a bell, chessboard, and incense burner without human figures, reflecting Islamic views on rejecting idol worship and focusing on spiritual duty.

Visitor Information

• Current Status: As of early 2025, reports indicate the mosque may be undergoing extensive renovations scheduled to last until 2027, though some areas may remain accessible for prayer.
• Surrounding Area: The mosque is adjacent to the vibrant Niujie Snack Street, famous for authentic halal beef, mutton, and traditional snacks.
• Etiquette: Visitors are asked to dress modestly. While the grounds are often open to the public, the main prayer hall is reserved for Muslims.

See Also:

1. Wikipedia : Islam In China
2. Wikipedia : List of Mosque in China

Compiled by:

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

18 December 2025: 9.11 a.m