Niujie Mosque

The Niujie Mosque, also called the Oxen Street House of Worship or the Oxen Street Mosque, is the oldest mosque in Beijing, China. It was built in 996 CE during the Liao dynasty. Over time, it was destroyed, rebuilt, and enlarged, especially during the 17th century under the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty.

Located in the Niujie area of Beijing’s Xicheng District, the mosque serves as a spiritual center for nearly 10,000 Muslims nearby. It covers about 10,000 square metres and mixes Islamic and Han Chinese styles. The main prayer hall can hold over 1,000 people. The mosque also holds important cultural tablets, like one from 1694.

History

The Niujie Mosque is the largest mosque in Beijing. It was first built in 996 during the Liao dynasty. The local Muslim community used traditional Chinese architecture but added Arabic calligraphy inside.

The mosque was destroyed in 1215 by armies of Genghis Khan, but it was rebuilt in 1443 during the Ming dynasty. Muslim eunuchs helped repair it in 1496.

The mosque was expanded in 1696 under the Qing dynasty. Nearby markets were known for Halal beef and mutton, and today there are still many Muslim grocery stores with Arabic signs along the road. The mosque’s official name is Lǐbàisì, given by the Chenghua Emperor in 1474, but it is commonly called Niujie because it is located on Oxen Street. It is one of the major mosques in north China.

Since 1949, the mosque has been renovated three times—in 1955, 1979, and 1996. As of 2002, plans were to keep the mosque in its current spot and develop a grassy area and large square around it.

Architecture

The Niujie Mosque has many buildings designed in the style of traditional Chinese architecture. It includes two courtyards laid out in a special way called the Siheyuan layout. You can find places for worship, a special building called the Wangyue Building, areas for learning, a lecture hall, a Tablet Pavilion, Twin Pavilions, and bathrooms. Inside, there is a very old copy of the Quran that is more than 300 years old, tombs of wise people from Arabia, and an incense burner from the Ming dynasty. The mosque also has a library with ancient books. The main prayer hall has a special shape known as a cruciform plan.

Tourism and official visits

The Government of the People's Republic of China often uses the Niujie Mosque as a special place for groups from Islamic countries to visit. Both Han Chinese and Hui people, as well as Muslims from other countries, come to the Niujie Mosque for tours and to learn more about the place.

Non-Muslims cannot go into the prayer hall, but the people who work at the mosque are very friendly to everyone. They enjoy talking about their beliefs with visitors who speak Chinese. Near the mosque, there is also the China Islamic Institute, located southeast at the corner of Nanheng W. Road and Jiaozi Hutong.

Transportation

The Niujie Mosque is easy to reach on foot. It is located southwest of Caishikou Station on the Beijing Subway.