Crane Mosque

Crane Mosque

Crane Mosque is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The mosque was built in the first year of the De’you era (1275) during the Southern Song Dynasty, funded by Pu Hading, the 16th-generation descendant of Islam’s founder Muhammad and an Arab who came to Yangzhou to preach. It is as renowned as Hangzhou’s Phoenix Mosque, Guangzhou’s Huai Sheng Mosque, and Quanzhou’s Qilin Mosque, collectively known as China’s four great mosques.

The mosque incorporates stylistic elements of both Islamic and traditional Chinese architecture. When constructing the mosque, the layout was designed based on the shape of a crane, from its “beak” to its “tail.”

Originally, there was a screen wall opposite the main gate representing the “crane’s beak” (demolished in 1958); the mosque gate is built in the style of the Tang Dynasty with upturned eaves and an arched gateway resembling the crane’s raised head; the pathway from the gate to the main hall is long and winding, shaped like the crane’s neck; the main prayer hall represents the crane’s body.

On both the north and south sides of the main hall are wing-like pavilions with upturned eaves, resembling the crane’s wings (the southern pavilion is known as the Moon-Gazing Pavilion, while the northern one has been destroyed); behind the main hall, there are courtyards on either side containing two ancient cypresses, referred to as the crane’s legs.

Behind the hall was originally a riverside area planted with bamboo, forming the crane’s tail (the bamboo no longer exists after the Wen River was filled in to build a road); in front of the main hall, there is one well on each side, symbolizing the crane’s eyes.

During Islamic festivals, followers from China and abroad often gather here for prayers. Today, Crane Mosque has become a symbol of friendship between Yangzhou and the Arab world.

On October 7, 2019, Crane Mosque was included in the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Transportation: Located on Nanmen Street in the city center, backed by South Wenhe Road. Accessible via buses No. 1, 5, 9, 6, 7, 16, and the tourist shuttle line.

Further reading:

· Fourth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Eighth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units