Hohhot Mosque

Hohhot Mosque

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

The Hohhot Mosque is located just outside the north gate of the old city in the urban area. Originally built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, it is the largest mosque in Hohhot. In those years, a large number of Hui residents migrated from Xinjiang to Hohhot. Over time, they gradually settled here and constructed this grand mosque. Located just outside the north gate of the old city in the urban area, originally built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, it is the largest mosque in Hohhot. In those years, a large number of Hui residents migrated from Xinjiang to Hohhot. Over time, they gradually settled here and constructed this grand mosque.

Covering an area of 4,000 square meters, the mosque’s east-facing, west-oriented layout reflects reverence for the holy city of Mecca. The main prayer hall is the principal structure of the mosque—tall, majestic, and solemn—with verses from the Quran carved on its pillars and a dome exhibiting classic Arabic style. The rear courtyard houses lecture rooms, a Muslim bathhouse, and more. On the southeastern side of the courtyard stands a gray tower, 33 meters high, with a hexagonal spire. Inside the tower is a wooden staircase, and climbing to the top offers panoramic views of the city. The decorative patterns inside the mosque feature Arabic calligraphy, geometric lines, and various plant motifs, exuding a strong Islamic ambiance. The mosque also houses 30 volumes of the Arabic Quran, which are precious religious texts. Amidst the forest of modern buildings in Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, a towering moon-sighting tower leads you to this magnificent, ancient Islamic mosque. It offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere in the bustling city, making it one of Hohhot’s most famous historical landmarks—the Hohhot Mosque.

Hohhot, a historic and cultural city, is well known as the “City of Temples.” But among the many religious sites, the Hohhot Mosque, located on Tongdao South Street in the Hui District, stands out with its unique charm, radiating the distinct essence of Islamic culture. There are no historical documents recording the exact construction date of this ancient mosque. According to research by the compilers of Hohhot Hui History (published by the Inner Mongolia People's Publishing House in 1994), the Hohhot Mosque was built in the 32nd year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1693). Initially small in scale, it gradually expanded and was renovated over time to become the present complex. Covering an area of about 4,000 square meters, the mosque faces west and follows a well-planned layout, consisting of an east-west elongated, two-courtyard compound. The architectural sequence from west to east includes: the main gate, prayer hall, north and south lecture rooms, hallway, moon-sighting tower, ablution room, and reception room. The Hohhot Mosque is a typical example of traditional Chinese architecture infused with distinct Islamic style. The main gate, which faces west, is an overhanging-style entrance flanked by a low western wall and centered with three gates—one large and two small. Above the gate is a horizontal plaque inscribed with “Hohhot Mosque,” created in the 16th year of the Guangxu reign (1890), accompanied by two shorter plaques on either side reading “National Prosperity” and “People’s Peace.” The main gate is usually closed and only opened during Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the Prophet’s Memorial Day. On regular days, worshippers enter through the smaller north and south gates.

Upon entering the main gate, the back wall of the prayer hall features carvings in the Wei stele script: “Monotheism,” “God Watches Here, the Realm of Bliss,” while the center of the wall displays inscriptions from the 12th year of the Republic of China (1923) by Ma Fuxiang (a Hui), who was then the military governor of Suiyuan: “Rectify the Heart, Sincerity, Cultivate the Self,” along with “Enlightenment” and “Clarity of Mind.” Ma Fuxiang’s regular script calligraphy is bold, vigorous, and powerful.

The main structure of the Hohhot Mosque is the prayer hall, which stands about 1 meter above ground level, measuring 26.50 meters in length and 16.50 meters in width, equivalent in size to 25 rooms. It is built with finely polished blue bricks in traditional Chinese style. The prayer hall’s entrance faces east and consists of three arched gates, with a 3-meter-long platform of the same width as the hall in front, surrounded by low blue brick walls on three sides. The hall’s doors are adorned with exquisite Arabic and floral brick carvings, making it a true architectural gem. The most distinctive feature of the prayer hall is its roof. From a height, you can see five overhanging small towers that unify the roof. Four delicate hexagonal towers surround a central octagonal tower. At the top of the central tower stands a crescent moon that shines brightly. The entire roof is intricately arranged, undulating and dynamic, demonstrating outstanding artistry. The five towers symbolize the “Five Pillars of Islam.” Also known as the “Five Obligatory Acts,” these are the declaration of faith, performing prayers, fasting during Ramadan, giving alms, and making the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims often summarize them in five words: “Faith, Prayer, Fasting, Alms, Pilgrimage.” These five acts are both spiritual practices and mandatory religious duties in Islam, seen as the foundation of devout faith. In the historically isolated city of Guihua (now the old town of Hohhot) during the Qing Dynasty, Islamic culture was expressed through traditional Chinese architectural styles in a perfectly integrated and seamless manner, leaving observers in awe. The interior of the hall is spacious, supported by 12 pillars holding up the domed ceiling. The hall’s columns are painted vermilion red with exquisitely carved Arabic inscriptions, showcasing masterful craftsmanship. The beams and ceilings throughout the hall are decorated with vibrant murals, featuring splendid and imaginative designs. The white walls are inscribed with grand Islamic calligraphy, adding a sense of dignity and elegance.

Islam prohibits idol worship, so mosques are not adorned with images of people, birds, or animals. Instead, door lintels, windows, and eaves are often decorated with floral and geometric patterns. Noteworthy for visitors are the seven carved floral openwork designs at the four corners of the prayer hall roof and above the entrance—lush and vibrant, offering high artistic and aesthetic value.

The Moon-Sighting Tower, located in the southeast corner of the rear courtyard, is a four-story, hexagonal brick-and-wood structure standing 36 meters tall. Built in 1939, it was the tallest building in Hohhot before the establishment of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The tower has a spiral staircase leading to the top. On the second floor, a cantilever beam extends to form a corridor enclosed by railings, and atop the tower sits a hexagonal pavilion crowned with a crescent moon. “Moon sighting” refers to observing the moon. According to Islamic teachings, during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (known as Ramadan), Muslims fast for a month, called the Month of Fasting. In the past, fasting began and ended with the sighting of the moon. At the beginning and end of Ramadan, respected elders would climb the Moon-Sighting Tower to observe the new moon and determine the dates for beginning and ending the fast. Hohhot’s Hui community refers to this as “observing the moon.” What makes the mosque’s Moon-Sighting Tower unique is its dual function—it is also used to call the faithful to prayer, or “Adhan” (an Arabic term meaning “to summon”). The cantilevered corridor on the second floor is also known as the “Adhan Tower,” where the imam (prayer leader) or students stand to recite the Adhan and summon worshippers, also called the “Summoning Tower.” The Moon-Sighting Tower stands proudly, majestic and grand, offering sweeping views of Hohhot. It complements other prominent structures such as the Five Pagoda Temple, the Liao Dynasty Wan Dai Huayan Scripture Pagoda, and the Catholic Church, creating a splendid ensemble.

Opposite the prayer hall is a five-bay hallway, where Muslims discuss religious teachings and share information before and after prayers. The north and south walls are fully covered with detailed, colorful paintings of the Kaaba in Mecca (the square stone shrine in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, also called the “House of God,” which is the focal point of worship for Muslims worldwide). The artwork is finely executed, vividly colored, and rich in Islamic character, offering significant reference value for the study of Islamic painting art in Hohhot.

On the south side of the prayer hall stands a stele pavilion housing seven stone tablets, including important inscriptions such as the “Qing Re-engraved Hongwu Imperial Decree Huihui Religion Hundred-Character Stele” and the “Reconstructed Suiyuan Mosque Stele,” which hold considerable historical research value.

The overall layout of the Hohhot Mosque is solemn, unified, and richly colorful, embodying the distinctive characteristics of traditional Chinese architectural art while incorporating strong Arabic decorative elements. It is a masterpiece of Sino-Arab fusion, the fruit of centuries of hard work and wisdom by artisans of various ethnicities. As an outstanding example of religious architecture in Inner Mongolia, it reflects the cultural and artisanal exchange between the Hui and Han peoples and stands as a symbol of ethnic unity.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units