Xi'an Great Mosque - Hui Culture & Muslim Religion

The Xi'an Great Mosque is easily one of the city's most beautiful structures, and we recommend it as a must-see attraction in Xi'an. Built in 742 by the Tang Dynasty, it's the largest functional mosque in the city and a reminder of Xi'an's important spot on the Silk Road.
The Great Mosque of Xi'an is located near several other important attractions, like the Bell Tower, so you can pair your visit with a full day of cultural and historical sightseeing in Xi'an.

Admire the Great Mosque of Xi'an

Facts of the Xi'an Great Mosque

Unique rooftop of the mosque

The Great Mosque of Xi'an is free for Muslims who want a place to worship, but if you're there for sightseeing purposes, you'll need to pay a small fee, which varies depending on what time of year you're visiting. You do not need a reservation to visit the mosque, and most people spend 1 to 1.5 hours visiting.

The Great Mosque of Xi'an is one of the biggest mosques in China. It is located near the Drum Tower, Bell Tower, and Muslim Quarter.

• Address: 30 Huajue Lane, Beiyuan Gate, Lianhu District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province
• Hours: March to November- 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., December to February 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cost: March to November- 25 RMB, December to February 15 RMB
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What to Do at the Xi'an Great Mosque

The Xi'an Great Mosque is one of the country's best preserved mosques. If you're interested in Tang design, it's worth visiting. It's an excellent representation of how cultures were blended on the Silk Road, and its architectural elements are a fusion of Muslim and Tang Dynasty elements.

The mosque complex is quite large, spanning 12,000 square meters and consisting of several gardens, courtyards, pavilions, and halls.

The Main Gate and Wooden Archway

Wooden structure of the mosque

You will enter the Great Mosque of Xi'an through an elegant gray-bricked gate that leads into a series of courtyards and worship halls. In the first courtyard, you'll see a stunning wooden archway engraved with Arabic lettering and Tang Dynasty-era designs. This piece is an excellent example of how two cultural influences came together to create the mosque.

Courtyards and Phoenix Pavilion

The courtyard of the mosque

The other three courtyards feature long, winding paths and plenty of places to sit and reflect. We recommend spending some time exploring these gardens, as they're very restorative and well-maintained. You'll also find the Phoenix Pavilion in the third courtyard, a spectacular building with red pillars and a beautifully decorated roof. It's an excellent spot for meditation.

Prayer Hall

Upon entering the fourth courtyard, visitors will find the Prayer Hall, which is off-limits to non-Muslims. You can walk around the exterior, which is decorated with Arabic calligraphy and carvings. You'll also find several stones around the complex, etched with Arabic and Chinese lettering, that are both beautiful to look at and tell the story of the Great Mosque of Xi'an.

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Nearby Attractions of Xi'an Great Mosque

The night view of the bell tower

The Great Mosque of Xi'an is centrally located, and you can pair your visit with seeing some of Xi'an's other amazing cultural and historical highlights. Huajue Lane and the Muslim Quarter are right nearby and are excellent places to shop for souvenirs or grab a bite to eat. The Muslim Quarter is famous for its unique and delicious food, like yangrou paomo or lamb stew.

It's also very close to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, both of which were essential to the early inhabitants of Xi'an because they signaled the beginning and end of the day.

Grand Gao's Mansion, a historical building from the Qing Dynasty, is just a short walk from the Xi'an Great Mosque. Here, you can learn about Chinese history and see a traditional shadow puppet show.

We can help you make the most of your time at the Xi'an Great Mosque by helping you plan a customized itinerary that works for you.

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Useful Travel Tips

A colorful building in the Great Mosque

It's best to visit the Great Mosque of Xi'an after 10 a.m. when the shops and restaurants in the Muslim Quarter and on Huajue Lane are open. This way, you can grab a bite to eat and explore this vibrant district. Huajue Lane and the Muslim Quarter are also excellent places to take pictures of the mosque and surrounding historical buildings.

Since the Great Mosque of Xi'an is a religious site, it's best to dress appropriately. Shorts, skirts, and sleeveless tops are not permitted, and women should cover their hair when they enter the mosque complex. Unless you are a Muslim coming to worship, it's a good idea to stay out of rooms specifically for praying. You can certainly respectfully take pictures of the exterior, although you should avoid taking photographs of worshippers themselves.

To honor this space, keeping your voice down and avoiding profanity while in the complex is wise.

Timing Your Visit

While you can use cards in many places in Xi'an, it's a good idea to have cash with you when you visit the mosque and nearby Muslim Quarter, as many vendors will not take cards. If you want to enjoy the lush gardens and courtyards of the Xi'an Great Mosque, try to visit during spring when the flowers are in bloom. You'll also find the weather accommodating and mild.

Getting to the Xi'an Great Mosque

While you can get to the Xi'an Great Mosque by public transportation or car, parking can be difficult in the mosque area, and you'll need to park about fifteen or twenty minutes away. We can provide you with exclusive transportation, so you won't need to worry about navigating your way around the city.

Experience the Xi'an Great Mosque Today

The Xi'an Great Mosque is one of the city's most impressive treasures and an excellent place to learn about Xi'an's historic spot on the Silk Road. At China Odyssey Tours, we can help you make the most of your time in Xi'an. Contact us or write to trip@odynovotours.com to get started today.