Daxuexixiang Mosque, Religious complex in Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, China.
The Daxuexixiang Mosque is a religious complex in the Muslim Quarter of Xi'an comprised of five sequential courtyards containing about twenty buildings. The architecture combines Chinese building traditions with Islamic worship needs through wooden pillars, tiled roofs, and traditional courtyard arrangements.
The complex was established around 742 during the Tang Dynasty and later underwent major reconstruction in the 1380s under the Ming Dynasty. This extensive rebuilding shaped the complex into its current form and structure.
The name refers to an old university that once stood in this area, showing how religious and academic life were connected in the neighborhood. The prayer hall displays over 600 ceiling designs that blend Chinese craftsmanship with Islamic worship practices, and people from many backgrounds use the complex daily.
Visitors can explore the courtyards and outer areas through multiple gateways, but cannot enter the main prayer hall during prayer times. Arriving early in the day helps you see the spaces peacefully and avoid disturbing daily worship.
Instead of traditional minarets, the complex features an octagonal tower that once served examination purposes while preserving Chinese architectural features. This unusual design shows how practical functions merged with religious requirements in a single structure.
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