Tianjin Great Mosque

Tianjin Great Mosque

The Tianjin Great Mosque is a cultural relic protection unit of Tianjin.

A key cultural relic protection unit of Tianjin. Located on Xiaohuo Lane in the northwest corner of Hongqiao District, Tianjin, it is about 2 kilometers from the city center. It is a renowned ancient mosque in Tianjin. Originally built in the first year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1664), it was renovated in the sixth year of the Jiaqing reign (1801) and completed the following winter. With a history of over 360 years, it integrates traditional Chinese palace-style architecture with Islamic architectural elements, featuring a unique style. The prayer hall alone covers an area of approximately 1,000 square meters and can accommodate up to a thousand worshippers at once.

Over the generations, Islamic scholars ("Ailin") and Confucian-Muslim intellectuals ("Hui Ru") have left behind a rich legacy of religious and historical heritage. The mosque houses two miniature copies of the Quran—one measuring just 8.5 square centimeters and the other a mere 4 square centimeters—both exquisitely crafted. The interior is adorned with Arabic and Chinese inscriptions, including plaques, couplets hanging from pillars, ceiling boards, stone-carved plaques, engraved plaques, Chinese character brick inscriptions on plaques, Chinese couplets on pillars, Chinese brick inscribed plaques, Chinese stone inscribed plaques, Chinese stone tablets, and a collection of brick carvings. Among the donors are Qing Dynasty nobles such as Prince Chun, Prince Li, and Prince Su, as well as Hui officials and scholars who were imperial censors, governors, and juren (successful candidates in the imperial examinations), along with prominent figures of the time. It is one of the mosques in China that preserves the richest collection of ancient plaques and couplets. These inscriptions showcase various classic Chinese calligraphic styles such as Yan, Liu, Ou, and Zhao, making them extremely valuable. Scholars have praised them as an exhibition hall of Qing Dynasty calligraphy, and they form a major highlight that has brought the mosque fame both domestically and internationally.

The Great Mosque was originally built during the Ming Dynasty. In the 18th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1679), it underwent expansion, with the prayer hall being enlarged to over 30 bays. In the sixth year of the Jiaqing reign (1801), the second expansion took place. According to the inscription on the plaque "Benyuan Gongsu" (Tracing Back to the Origin) hung in the front porch of the prayer hall, “The elder Shi Yiguang initiated the renovation, considering the mosque too small and dilapidated, and was the first to donate. Other elders contributed funds if they could afford to, or labor if they could not, with some offering both. Everyone participated with enthusiasm, and the project was finally completed in the winter of the seventh year.” Multiple subsequent extension projects were carried out afterward.

In the second year of the Xianfeng reign (1852), a stone-pillared colonnade shelter and a ablution area covering over 300 square meters were constructed.

In the fourth year of the Tongzhi reign (1865), two pavilion-style towers and north and south entrance gates were built, and in the 31st year of the Guangxu reign (1905), a grand screen wall was erected opposite the main gate.

In the first year of the Xuantong reign (1909), one stone stele was placed on each side of the courtyard in front of the prayer hall. After the liberation, a major renovation was carried out in 1960. Later, following the Cultural Revolution and the 1976 earthquake, this pearl of Islamic architecture was nearly completely destroyed.

In 1979, with the full implementation of the policy on freedom of religious belief, the Great Mosque was reopened, and its status as a municipal-level key cultural relic protection unit was reaffirmed. The government allocated over 400,000 yuan to renovate the mosque, restoring this ancient structure to its former glory.