Id Kah Mosque

　　    The Id Kah Mosque in Yutian County was constructed over 800 years ago, around the year 1200 AD, and covers a total area of 13,449 square meters. This includes 3,066 square meters within the mosque itself and 10,439 square meters in the courtyard. The mosque has 11 levels and is supported by 153 large columns. It is larger in size than the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, the largest in Xinjiang, and serves as a major religious site for Muslims in the Hotan region. On Fridays (known as Juma prayers), around 4,000 to 6,000 worshippers attend, while during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the mosque can accommodate 10,000 to 16,000 worshippers. Since its initial construction, the Yutian County Id Kah Mosque has undergone seven expansions and renovations. Between 1947 and 1949, on the eve of liberation, a renovation was carried out primarily in a traditional ethnic architectural style. After the liberation, the sixth renovation took place from 1985 to 1988, during which the original appearance was preserved. From 1997 to 1998, the northern gate was reconstructed, adding a total area of 227 square meters — this marked the seventh expansion. The northern gate tower stands 24 meters high, featuring three floors, nine watchtowers on the roof, and a circular dome. Its architectural style resembles that of the Sultan Satuk Boghra Khan Mausoleum in Artux, and the craftsmanship is exquisite. In 1999, the Id Kah Mosque in Yutian County was designated as an autonomous region-level cultural heritage protection unit. In 2003, the surrounding grounds of the 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 planted with economic trees such as walnut and pomegranate trees. The Id Kah Mosque enjoys a serene environment, convenient transportation, a long history, and widespread fame.