Huashi Mosque

　　Destination Introduction
　　Huashi Mosque is located in the northern part of Chongwen District, at No. 30 Xihuashi Street, covering a total area of 1,797 square meters, with the main prayer hall spanning 1,098 square meters. In January 1984, it was listed as a district-level cultural relics protection unit and now serves as the office of the Chongwen District Islamic Association.
　　The mosque was established in the 13th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1415), and has a history of over 500 years. It is said that the site was originally the residence of Chang Yuchun (a Hui Muslim), one of the founding heroes of the Ming Dynasty, before being converted into a mosque. Initially, the mosque was very large, extending from Nanyangshi Kou in the east to Yuchi Hutong in the west, bordered by Xihuashi in the north and Shoupahutong in the south. The existing structures of the mosque include the main prayer hall, which faces east and is situated to the west, featuring a four-bay front hall. The fourth bay includes a light-well room to allow sunlight in. Legend has it that the main beam of the prayer hall could repel birds, hence it was called “Peacock Wood.” Due to its value, several iron hoops were disguised on the wooden beam during the mosque’s construction to avoid it being requisitioned by the royal family. These iron hoops are still present today, and no birds roost there. Opposite the prayer hall is a stele pavilion that once housed an imperial edict stele; the stele has since been moved outside and the pavilion is now used to receive guests.

　　　　Location: Northern part of Chongwen District, No. 30 Xihuashi Street

　　　　Area: 1,797 square meters

　　　　The existing structures of the mosque include the main prayer hall, which faces east and is situated to the west, featuring a four-bay front hall with four layers of depth. The fourth bay includes a light-well wall to let in sunlight. The walls originally featured verses from the Quran. Opposite the prayer hall stands a square stele pavilion, which once held a stele bestowed by Emperor Yongzheng; the stele has since been relocated and placed against the wall, and the pavilion is now used to receive guests.

　　　　Cultural relics preserved in the mosque include a wooden plaque inscribed with the word “Qingzhen” (Muslim) written by Prince Yu in the 2nd year of the Kangxi reign (1663), and a plaque inscribed with “Zhen Yi Wu Er” (Truly Unique) from the 52nd year of the Qianlong reign (1787), both hanging under the corridor of the prayer hall. Additionally, there is an imperial stele bestowed by Emperor Yongzheng and a stone inscription from the 35th year of the Qianlong reign (1770) titled “Record of the Reconstruction of the Prayer Hall.”

　　　　Accessible by bus route 3.  

　　 Beijing Chongwen District