When China Called: Xi'an Day Yi Part 5

One of the arches in the Great Mosque gardens. Photo Credit: Mohamed Hakim

      The entrance to the Great Mosque looks much like an entrance to an old Chinese palace or temple, with much ornamentation on the inner side of the walls surrounding the mosque and its gardens. Once through the gate you will walk a beautiful garden with a few pavilions, and distinctly Chinese arches.

Tablet engraved with
Muslim religious practices.
Photo Credit: Mohamed Hakim

     As you enter the garden through the first gate following the square hosting a big welcoming arch, you will almost immediately feel a sense of peace. Cherish this moment, you may never experience something like it again.

      Part of the gardens includes tablets engraved with information about, I’m told, the holy month of Ramadan and other religions practices. Take a look at the tablets to your left as you pass between the squares leading to the prayer hall.

      What I found most interesting here are a few small steps separating the gardens from the last square where the prayer hall resides. There are engravings on them spanning the majority of the steps. At first glance the engravings appear to have some Daoist influence judging by the positioning of the engravings in what resembles the circle of yin and yang. Although pleasant to the eyes, they make for a very slippery experience. So, watch your steps!

Prayer hall. Photo Credit: Mohamed Hakim

      The interior of the prayer hall is covered with ornamented wood. While not very detailed, it gives a much different vibe than other mosques with Arab influence.

Please be advised that entry to the prayer hall is strictly for Muslims.

      Upon exiting the prayer hall, I was surprised by an older Chinese gentleman who attempted to ask for my name in Mandarin. I suspect this was some kind of a test to ascertain an individual is Muslim.

            To be continued...

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You can find the previous post in the series at: When China Called: Xi'an Day Yi Part 4