Shenyang South Mosque

Shenyang South Mosque

The Shenyang South Mosque is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

Abbreviated as the South Mosque, it is located at No. 23 South Islamic Road, Xiaoxi Road, Shenhe District. It is a complex of Islamic architecture and the largest and most prestigious Islamic place of worship in Northeast China. Established between 1627 and 1636 (during the second year of Tiancong to the first year of Chongde in the Later Jin Dynasty), it was expanded between 1662 and 1722, and maintained between 1796 and 1820. Covering an area of 7,482 square meters, it consists of four successive courtyards. Structures within include the "Main Prayer Hall," "Worship Hall," "Moon-Watching Tower," "Lecture Hall," "Bathhouse," "Tea House," and "Rear Hall." The Moon-Watching Tower, also known as the "Distant Hall," has a hexagonal floor plan and three levels, reaching a height of thirty meters. At its top hangs a crescent moon, with flying eaves soaring above, giving it a highly distinctive appearance. Some Islamic religious activities are based on the sighting of the moon, hence this tall tower was built for moon observation.

The Worship Hall is situated in the center of the second courtyard, oriented east-west, with a brick-and-wood structure consisting of over twenty rooms divided into two floors. Under the eaves hang Arabic inscribed plaques, exhibiting typical Islamic style. The Moon-Watching Tower stands 30 meters high with a hexagonal layout, crowned with a gilded copper crescent moon. Its flying eaves reach skyward, adorned with four decorative beasts at the eave ends and hung with wind chimes. The north and south scripture halls were built in the 20th year of Qianlong's reign (1755), featuring marble flooring and flying eaves with decorative beasts. The founder of the mosque, Tie Kui, had military achievements in the early Qing Dynasty, holding the official title of Cavalry Commander and being granted the noble titles of Distinguished General and Guanglu Grand Master. He was devoted to Islamic causes and funded the construction of the mosque with his personal wealth. Subsequent expansions during the reigns of Kangxi, Qianlong, and Jiaqing led to its current scale.

The South Mosque now serves as the hub for Muslim activities in the Shenyang area, overseen by an imam. During Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, the mosque becomes particularly lively. It frequently hosts foreign guests from Islamic countries such as Pakistan. It has also been designated as a municipal-level key cultural relic protection unit.

Protected Area: Within the temple’s surrounding walls, as well as 5 meters outside the outer base of the walls to the south and west, extending to the western red line of Fengtian Street to the east and the southern red line of Nanshi Mosque Road to the north.

Construction Control Zone: A Class III construction control zone extends 15 meters beyond the protected area to the south and west.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Liaoning Province