Mosque 🕌

📍 Address: Near Zhanbei Village, Su Yang District, Shangqiu City, Henan Province
📅 Original Construction Period: The sixth year of Chenghua in the Ming Dynasty (circa 1470)
👥 Ethnic Community: Hui Muslim community

Historical Development

Established in the sixth year of Chenghua (1470), this mosque is one of the oldest surviving Islamic religious structures in eastern Henan. According to the History of the Hui People in Su Yang, it was built by early Hui settlers who had migrated to Zhanbei Village, with funds collected collectively. The mosque underwent multiple renovations during the Qing Dynasty, most notably a major restoration in the 32nd year of Guangxu (1906), which remains the most comprehensive. Inside the temple, the stele titled "Record of the Restoration of the Mosque" meticulously documents the founding history and lists contributors, serving as crucial physical evidence for studying the social life and religious beliefs of the Hui people in central China during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Architectural Features

The mosque faces east and is laid out along a central axis, featuring key structures including the main gate, prayer hall, minaret (observation tower), and scripture hall.

• Prayer Hall: Five bays wide and three bays deep, with a single-eaved hip roof covered in glazed tiles; the beams and rafters are richly painted, preserving the characteristic wooden architectural style of the Ming official tradition.
• Minaret: Approximately 15 meters tall, with a four-cornered pyramidal roof topped by a copper crescent ornament, historically used to observe lunar phases and determine the start and end of fasting periods.
• Main Gate Tower: Elaborately carved brickwork features Arabic inscriptions reading “Allah” and Chinese couplets, exemplifying the harmonious fusion of Islamic culture and traditional Chinese aesthetics.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The mosque houses two Ming Dynasty stone steles and three Qing Dynasty wooden plaques, among which the plaque inscribed “The Sacred Teaching of Heaven” was bestowed by Emperor Qianlong and holds exceptional cultural value. The site regularly hosts traditional festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, serving as a vital center for religious practice and cultural exchange within the local Hui community. Designated a Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Site in 2008, it stands as a model example of Hui religious architecture in the Central Plains region.

Visitor Information

• ✅ Opening Hours: Morning until evening daily (timing may vary according to prayer schedules)
• 🚶‍♂️ Visiting Tips: Please dress appropriately; remove shoes before entering the mosque and respect local religious customs.
• 📌 Transportation: Take a bus in Shangqiu city to the “Zhanbei Village” stop, then walk about 300 meters to reach the site.

🌿 More than just a place of worship, this mosque stands as a living testament to the historical coexistence of diverse cultures within Chinese civilization. Nestled among the village homes, its soaring eaves and upturned corners whisper centuries of devotion and tolerance.