Yutian Etika Mosque

Yutian Etika Mosque

The Yutian Etika Mosque is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Etika Grand Mosque

The Etika Grand Mosque in Yutian County was built over 800 years ago, around the year 1200 AD, and covers a total area of 13,449 square meters. This includes an interior area of 3,066 square meters and a courtyard area of 10,439 square meters. The grand mosque consists of 11 levels and 153 large pillars. Its size exceeds that of the largest mosque in Xinjiang — the Kashgar Etika Grand Mosque — making it one of the largest religious venues for Muslim worshippers in the Hotan region. On Fridays (Juma prayers), it typically hosts around 4,000 to 6,000 worshippers, while during major Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, it can accommodate 10,000 to 16,000 worshippers. Since its initial construction, the Etika Grand Mosque in Yutian County has undergone seven expansions and renovations. Between 1947 and 1949, just before liberation, a renovation focused on ethnic architectural styles was carried out. After the founding of the People’s Republic, from 1985 to 1988, the sixth renovation took place, during which the original appearance was preserved. From 1997 to 1998, the north gate was rebuilt, with the gate tower covering a total area of 227 square meters — this marked the seventh expansion. The north gate tower is 24 meters high, featuring three floors, nine observation towers on the roof, and a circular dome. Its architectural style is the same as that of the Sultan Satuk Boghra Khan Mausoleum in Artux, and the craftsmanship is extremely refined. In 1999, the Etika Grand Mosque in Yutian County was designated as an Autonomous Region-level Cultural Relics Protection Unit. In 2003, the surrounding grounds of the Etika Grand Mosque were landscaped and paved, covering a total area of 6,537 square meters — including 3,096 square meters of square bricks, 3,441 square meters of red bricks, and 1,200 square meters of green space, where economic tree species such as walnut and pomegranate trees were planted. The Etika Grand Mosque enjoys a tranquil environment, convenient transportation, a long history, and widespread fame.

In May 2013, the Yutian Etika Mosque was listed as part of the seventh group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units