Dongsi Mosque, Islamic religious center in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
Dongsi Mosque is a prayer center in Dongcheng built with two entrance gates, a minaret, and a main prayer hall with accompanying wing halls arranged around three courtyards in the Chinese architectural style. The building complex accommodates approximately 500 worshippers at full capacity.
The site was established in 1346 during the Yuan Dynasty to serve the growing Muslim population of the city. Major reconstructions during the Ming Dynasty in 1447 and 1486 shaped it into its present form.
This place serves as a gathering space for the local Muslim community to practice their faith and maintain their traditions. The arrangement of buildings around courtyards shows how Chinese architectural styles merged with Islamic design, creating a visible blend of both cultures.
The location on Dongsi South Street places it in a central area of the district, making it relatively easy to reach on foot from many neighborhoods. Visitors should remember this is an active worship space where respectful conduct and appropriate dress are expected.
The prayer hall features Arabic Quranic verses carved directly into the arches, creating a striking visual testimony to religious devotion within the space. Behind this main area stand three brick chambers with vaulted ceilings, adding an unexpected architectural detail.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
