Tianjin Great Mosque

　　A key cultural relic protection unit of Tianjin. Located on Xiaohuo Lane in the northwest corner of Hongqiao District, Tianjin, 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 during the Qing Dynasty (1664) and renovated in the sixth year of the Jiaqing reign (1801), with completion in the winter of the following year, it has a history of over 360 years. Combining traditional Chinese palace-style architecture with Islamic architectural elements, it features a unique style. The prayer hall alone covers an area of about 1,000 square meters and can accommodate up to a thousand worshippers at once.

　　Over the generations, Islamic scholars ("Ailin") and Muslim Confucian scholars ("Hui Ru") have left behind a rich legacy of religious and cultural heritage. The mosque’s collection includes two miniature copies of the Quran—one measuring just 8.5 square centimeters and the other a mere 4 square centimeters—exhibiting exquisite craftsmanship. The mosque also displays Arabic and Chinese inscriptions such as plaques, couplets hanging from pillars, ceiling boards, stone-carved plaques, engraved plaques, Chinese brick inscriptions on plaques, Chinese couplets on pillars, Chinese brick inscribed plaques, Chinese stone inscribed plaques, Chinese stone tablets, and a set of brick carvings. Donors include 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 notable 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 calligraphic styles including Yan, Liu, Ou, and Zhao scripts, making them extremely precious. 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 and expanded in the 18th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1679), increasing the prayer hall to over 30 bays. In the sixth year of the Jiaqing reign (1801), a second expansion took place. According to the inscription on the plaque "Tracing Back to the Origin" hung in the front porch of the prayer hall, “The elder Shi Yiguang, seeing the mosque as cramped and dilapidated, took the lead in donating funds. Other village elders who could afford it contributed money, those who couldn’t donated labor, and some contributed both—everyone was inspired to take part. The project was completed in the winter of the seventh year.” Subsequent expansions and renovations were carried out multiple times after that.

　　In the second year of the Xianfeng reign (1852), a stone colonnade protective platform and a bathing area covering more than 300 square meters were constructed.

　　In the fourth year of the Tongzhi reign (1865), two pavilion-style towers and north and south gate towers 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 erected 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 [unspecified events] and the 1976 earthquake, this jewel 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.