Taiyuan Ancient Mosque, Ancient mosque in Xinghualing District, China

The Taiyuan Ancient Mosque, originally Qingxiu Mosque, occupies a 2,121-square-metre walled site with two successive courtyards. Along the central axis stand the gate, the two-storey Ming-dynasty Shengxin Tower with its double-eaved hip roof, the sermon hall and the prayer hall, flanked by the imam's rooms, ablution rooms, two hexagonal stele pavilions and a decorated archway. The prayer hall, 460 square metres and 6.22 metres high, seats over 500 worshippers and has Arabic-style patterns on its walls.

The site was originally called Qingxiu Mosque and was founded during the Tang dynasty in the 8th century to serve the Muslim community. Major renovations after the 11th century reshaped its layout and preserved many of its structures to the present day.

The prayer hall displays a blend of Chinese, Arabic, and Islamic architectural elements that shows how different traditions mixed over centuries in this region. This fusion appears in the decoration and room layouts, shaping how the entire site looks and feels.

The mosque is located west of Taiyuan Railway Station and is easily reached from there, especially for those wanting to explore religious architecture. Visitors should respect the active worship practices at the site, as the community continues to use it for prayer and religious gatherings.

The prayer hall measures 460 square metres, is 6.22 metres high and holds more than 500 worshippers, its walls painted with Arabic-style patterns. In the front courtyard, the two hexagonal stele pavilions carry inscriptions dated to 1694 (Kangxi 33) and 1868 (Tongzhi 7).