Jiajiayao Mosque

Jiajiayao Mosque

Jiajiayao Mosque is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a protected cultural heritage site in Tianjin.

Jiajiayao Mosque is one of the historic mosques in Jiajiayao, Hebei District, Tianjin, China. It was originally built in the second year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1574), making it one of the oldest mosques in Tianjin. Currently, the mosque houses three Imams, seven board members, over 70 Arabic-language scriptures, more than 20 Persian-language scriptures, as well as the "Tianjin Jiajiayao Mosque Stele Inscription" written by Dai Degui in 1927.

Located at No. 19, Haichaosi Hutong, Jiajiayao Street, Hebei District, Tianjin, China, Jiajiayao Mosque is a historically protected architectural site of significant grade.

Original Construction

Jiajiayao Mosque was built in the second year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1574). In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, some members of the Anqing group from grain transport fleets would set up temporary straw sheds in the Jiajiayao area for prayers during winter. Later, Hui people gradually settled here and constructed the mosque. Initially, Jiajiayao Mosque was just a makeshift prayer room.

Renovation and Reconstruction

Later, with funding from Wang Yuzhou, Zuo Guanting, and Mu Yushan, the main prayer hall, northern and southern lecture rooms, and ablution facilities were constructed. During the Guangxu period, Imam Feng raised funds to renovate the mosque. In 1917, 1984, 1988, and 1990, the main prayer hall, northern and southern lecture rooms, and the gatehouse underwent successive renovations.

The total construction area of Jiajiayao Mosque is 2,000 square meters, with the main prayer hall covering an area of 200 square meters. The architectural style of the prayer hall is that of traditional Chinese classical palatial architecture.

The Chinese inscriptions on plaques inside the mosque include phrases such as “Pure Islam, Second to None” and “Boundless Creation.” The Arabic plaques feature inscriptions such as “There is no god but Allah.” Additionally, Jiajiayao Mosque has over 600 Hui Muslim households and follows the Qadim school of thought.

The renowned Islamic scholar Wang Jingzhai once wrote in his book: “In the early Ming Dynasty, there were no Hui Muslims in Tianjin. At that time, some members of the Anqing group from the grain transport fleets would set up temporary straw sheds here for prayers during winter. From then on, Hui people gradually settled in the area. Later, they pooled funds to purchase the land and build the mosque. Initially, it was just a few makeshift prayer rooms built by Hui people. Later, persuaded by a man named Wang Yuzhou, Zuo Guanting and Mu Yushan donated some houses to construct the main prayer hall, northern and southern lecture rooms, and ablution facilities. During the Guangxu period, another renovation was carried out under the advocacy of an Imam surnamed Feng. In 1917, 1984, 1988, and 1990, the main prayer hall, northern and southern lecture rooms, and the gatehouse were renovated respectively. The current 'Tianjin Jiajiayao Mosque Stele Inscription' from 1927, written by Dai Degui, also details that this is the oldest mosque in Tianjin.”

This mosque, along with Tianmu Mosque and Northwest Corner Xiaohuo Lane Mosque, are ranked among the three most famous mosques in Tianjin. It is the earliest mosque built within Tianjin’s urban area, indicating that after the establishment of Tianjin Wei, the Sancha River area had already become very bustling, with a large Hui Muslim population residing there. The mosque in Yuchang Street, Hebei District, is said to have been built during the Ming Dynasty, while those in Chenjiagou and Xiaowangzhuang were built in the 1930s—these areas were all Hui Muslim enclaves. In recent years, all four mosques in Hebei District have been renovated and restored.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites in Tianjin