Bohai Mosque

Bohai Mosque

The Bohai Mosque is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Bohai Mosque is located at No. 1 Limao Hutong, Jianhua District, Qiqihar City. Situated in a quiet alley within the bustling commercial area of Bohai Street (Bohai being the former name of Qiqihar, hence the name), it is one of the best-preserved structures in the old city dating back over 300 years. The mosque spans a total area of more than 4,000 square meters, with a building area of over 2,000 square meters. It consists of three parts: the East Mosque, the West Mosque, and the Women’s Mosque. In the past, they were individually labeled as East Mosque, West Mosque, and Women’s Mosque. In 1958, they were merged into one mosque, and in 1981, it was given its current name. The East Mosque was first built in the 23rd year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1684), and the West Mosque was built in 1852 (the third year of the Xianfeng reign). The two mosques are adjacent to each other. The prayer hall of the West Mosque consists of the rear chamber, the central main hall, and the entrance hall. The side rooms are used as the offices of the Islamic Association, the imam’s room, the VIP reception room, and the ablution room, among others. Since its construction in 1852, the West Mosque has retained its original appearance, featuring an imposing gateway and a solemn main hall. After renovation in 1989, including colorful paintings, it is considered one of the finest examples of Qing Dynasty architecture in Qiqihar. The prayer hall of the East Mosque can accommodate 400 worshippers at once. Its architecture features upturned eaves, interlocking brackets, carved bricks fitted seamlessly, wooden openwork carvings, and brick-and-wood relief carvings. The engraved panels feature Arabic calligraphy and paintings, as well as depictions of fresh fruits and twigs. The mihrab is a three-tiered, triple-eaved, quadrilateral tower-like structure, with a dome made from "wind-eroded copper." On the lotus-shaped base sits a gourd, and atop the gourd's tip is a golden crescent moon. The Women’s Mosque was initially built in early 1990 and later incorporated into the East Mosque compound. It includes a women’s ablution room and a separate prayer area partitioned off by curtains inside the main hall. The mosque currently houses a rare handwritten copy of the Quran and the 1858 (the eighth year of the Xianfeng reign) edition of the private school textbook “Collected Commentaries on the Four Books,” among others. It is a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The word "mosque" in Arabic means "a place to worship God." According to Islamic teachings, Muslims are required to perform the Five Pillars: Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting), Zakat (charity), and Hajj (pilgrimage). Every Friday, the day of congregational prayer, worshippers enter the mosque to pray facing the Kaaba in Mecca. The Eid al-Fitr on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar is the most solemn day at the mosque.

The mosque consists of the East Mosque and the West Mosque. Historical records indicate that during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, to resist Russian invasion, per the decree of Emperor Kangxi, a military base was established around Qiqihar. A postal relay station named Bohai Station was set up near Ma Shen Temple, and the city of Qiqihar was constructed. In the same year the city was built (1684), Hui people relocated from Shandong and Hebei to guard the border built several simple huts, which became the earliest East Mosque. In 1852, twelve Hui Muslim families exiled from Gansu arrived in Qiqihar. Belonging to the Jahriyya sect, their religious rituals differed from those of the Gedimu sect, leading them to build a separate West Mosque.

The architectural layouts of the East and West Mosques are similar, each centered around the prayer hall and accompanied by the imam’s office, lecture hall, main hall, ablution room, and gate tower—structures rich in ethnic characteristics made of brick and wood. The two mosques stand side by side. The prayer hall (main hall) and the mihrab of the East Mosque display exquisite architectural artistry, blending religious and classical Chinese architectural styles. The main hall is convex in shape, facing east, and can hold 500 people for scripture recitation. The wide, curved-roof porch in front of the main hall features upturned eaves, colorful beams, layers of dragon-claw chrysanthemum-like brackets supported by six large red pillars, and a horizontal plaque above the main door inscribed with the Arabic phrase “Bismillah” (In the Name of God). On the left is a plaque reading “Righteous and Generous.” Twenty folding doors are carved with patterns of musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, paintings, four-season flowers, as well as peach, plum, Buddha’s hand, and orange blossoms. The inner walls of the main hall are decorated with lifelike brick carvings. The mihrab is a three-tiered square tower. The front stone carving is inscribed with four golden characters meaning “Mirror to the Sacred House.” The middle layer is covered entirely in brick carvings, featuring columnar, toothed, and meander patterns. Each side also includes nine circular brick carvings with Arabic names and representations of God. At the top of the tower is a 1.9-meter-high, 0.9-meter-diameter gilded gourd, topped with a 40-centimeter-long crescent moon decoration, symbolizing Islam’s “crescent embracing the stars.”

The Bohai Mosque is one of the largest and best-preserved mosques in Heilongjiang Province, holding significant value for the study of religious history and architectural art. It is a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Best Time to Visit the Bohai Mosque

The Eid al-Fitr on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar (Eid al-Fitr) is the most solemn day at the mosque.

Also, every Friday, the day of congregational prayer, worshippers enter the mosque to pray facing the Kaaba in Mecca.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units