Top Muslim Mosques in Qujing

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The Mosque Cluster in Qujing (曲靖) is an essential part of the Islamic culture in eastern Yunnan. It showcases the architectural wisdom of various ethnic groups and provides a living testament to the cultural exchanges along the Ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道). From the ancient charm of the Nanmen Mosque in Qilin District (麒麟区南门清真寺) to the bamboo structure marvel of the Huazhu Mosque in Huize (会泽华竹清真寺), these mosques, enduring the vicissitudes of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, are not only the spiritual homes of the local Muslim communities but also a symbol of the fusion of cultures along the ancient trade routes.

Huazhu Mosque in Huize (会泽华竹清真寺)

Location

Address: Yizhuo Village, Xinjie Hui Ethnic Township, Huize County, Qujing City, Yunnan Province (云南省曲靖市会泽县新街回族乡以濯村10)
Nearby Attractions: The Black-necked Crane Nature Reserve (黑颈鹤自然保护区), around 15 kilometers from the “Six Ancestors Branch” site of the Yi Ethnic Group (彝族“六祖分支”故址).

History and Culture

Establishment Background: Built during the peak of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the mosque reflects the cultural fusion of various ethnic groups, including Han (汉), Hui (回), and Yi (彝).
Historical Development: The mosque was part of Shande Township (尚德乡) during the Qing Dynasty. In 1987, it was incorporated into the newly established Xinjie Hui Ethnic Township. After Huize became a provincial historical and cultural city in 1995, the mosque was listed for protection.
Historical Significance: The mosque preserves an Arabic wall hanging from the Qing Dynasty, a testament to the cultural exchange between Yunnan and Sichuan’s Muslim communities during the Tea Horse Road era.

Social Function and Cultural Heritage

Regular prayer services and Islamic holiday celebrations are held, serving the local Hui Muslim community.
Workshops on bamboo weaving and Islamic calligraphy promote the transmission of intangible cultural heritage, forming a cultural complex with the Tang Jiyao Former Residence (唐继尧故居) and Jiangxi Guildhall (江西会馆).

Architectural Features and Honors

The mosque’s distinctive bamboo dome, combined with a brick-carved arch, was recognized as one of the most beautiful representative buildings in Qujing.
The mosque welcomes over 10,000 visitors annually and is listed among Huize County’s notable landmarks.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (It is recommended to confirm the time in advance).

Hui Mosque in Huize (会泽县城清真寺)

Location

Address: 399 Tongbao Road, Huize County, Qujing City, Yunnan Province (云南省曲靖市会泽县通宝路399号)
Nearby Landmarks: Located near the historical and cultural district of Huize, with Ming and Qing era architectural clusters such as the Jiangxi Guildhall and Huguang Guildhall.

History and Culture

Establishment Background: Built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties to serve the religious needs of Hui Muslim miners and traders.
Historical Development: The mosque was established after the founding of Huize as a city during the Qing Dynasty (1731). It later became a religious activity site for the Red Army during their Long March in the Republic of China period.
Historical Significance: The mosque preserves a Qing Dynasty manuscript of the Qur’an and religious activity records from the Republic of China period, reflecting Huize’s copper mining culture.

Social Function and Cultural Heritage

Regular prayers and celebrations for Eid al-Fitr are held, serving the local Muslim community.
The mosque, alongside the ancient guildhalls, contributes to Huize’s diverse cultural landscape and the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, such as Dongjing music (洞经音乐).

Architectural Features and Honors

The mosque features a traditional courtyard layout with a gate carved from local blue stone, and the prayer hall’s dome incorporates traditional Chinese dougong (斗拱) architectural elements.
In 2006, the mosque was included as part of the national cultural heritage protection list, along with the Huize Guildhall cluster.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, free admission.

Nanmen Mosque in Qilin District (曲靖麒麟区南门清真寺)

Location

Address: Near the Youth Cultural Activity Center in Wenchang Community, Qilin District, Qujing City, Yunnan Province (曲靖市麒麟区文昌社区青少年文化活动中心附近)
Transportation: The mosque is close to the main road, about 1.5 kilometers from South City Gate Square.

History and Culture

Establishment Background: The exact date of the mosque’s construction is unknown, but it has long been a significant Islamic activity site in the Qilin District.
Historical Development: Likely built as part of the development of the ancient Qujing city, it serves the religious needs of the local Muslim community.
Historical Significance: The mosque houses a Qing Dynasty manuscript of the Qur’an and records of religious activities from the Republic of China period.

Social Function

Regular prayer services and Eid celebrations are held to foster cultural exchange among different ethnic groups.

Architectural Features

The mosque follows the traditional courtyard layout, with a gate adorned with blue stone carvings of Islamic geometric patterns, and the eaves display wood-carved透雕work typical of eastern Yunnan architecture.

Ancient Mosque in Qilin District (曲靖麒麟区清真古寺)

Location

Address: Near the Youth Cultural Activity Center in Wenchang Community, Qilin District, Qujing City, Yunnan Province (曲靖市麒麟区文昌社区青少年文化活动中心附近)
Nearby Landmarks: Close to major cultural facilities in the city.

History and Culture

Establishment Background: The specific founding date is unclear, but it has been a significant Islamic religious site in the district for many years.
Historical Development: Likely built as part of the development of the ancient Qujing city, it serves the local Muslim population’s spiritual needs.
Historical Significance: The mosque preserves Qing Dynasty religious texts and records from the Republic of China period.

Social Function

Regular Islamic prayers and celebrations for major festivals serve the local Muslim community.

Architectural Features

The mosque features the traditional four-courtyard layout, with intricate Islamic geometric patterns decorating its architecture.

Ximen Street Mosque (西门街清真寺)

Location

Address: 1 Ximen Street, Qilin District, Qujing City, Yunnan Province (云南省曲靖市麒麟区西门街1)
Nearby Landmarks: Adjacent to the Youth Cultural Activity Center, located in the cultural heart of the old city.

History and Culture

Establishment Background: Originally built in the Qing Dynasty, it was rebuilt in 1989 by local Hui Muslims. The mosque now serves as the headquarters of the Qujing Islamic Association.
Historical Development: Originally a simple structure, it was repeatedly rebuilt after being damaged, and fully restored in 1988 to serve religious functions.
Historical Significance: The mosque retains Qing Dynasty couplet stone carvings and Arabic brick carvings, reflecting the blend of Islamic culture in eastern Yunnan.

Social Function and Cultural Heritage

The mosque hosts regular prayers and celebrates Islamic holidays, serving the Muslim community in the urban area.
Along with the Shuidian 14th Bureau Mosque, it is a cultural landmark of Hui culture in Qujing.

Architectural Features and Honors

The mosque’s prayer hall has a unique four-cornered shape, with a plaque reading “Kaijian Gujiao” (“开天古教”).
It is designated as a model site for ethnic unity in Qujing, attracting more than 5,000 visitors annually.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours: Daily, free entry.

Shuidian 14th Bureau Mosque (水电十四局清真寺)

Location

Address: Shui Dian 14th Bureau, Bai Shi Jiang Street, Happy Community, Qujing City, Yunnan Province (云南省曲靖市麒麟区白石江街道幸福社区水电十四局基地)
Nearby Landmarks: Located near a residential area in the Shui Dian 14th Bureau base.

History and Culture

Establishment Background: Built in 1994 to serve the Hui Muslim staff and their families at Shui Dian 14th Bureau.
Historical Development: The mosque reflects the integration of corporate community life and religious culture.

Social Function and Cultural Heritage

Regular prayer services are held for the Hui Muslim employees of Shui Dian 14th Bureau.
The mosque participates in national unity education activities in line with the “Three Rivers Battle” spirit.

Architectural Features and Honors

The mosque is built in a simple modern style, harmoniously integrated with the surrounding corporate structures.
It is recognized as a model of ethnic unity in Qujing, serving over a thousand employees and their families.

Shuanghe Mosque (双河清真寺)

Location

Address: Shang Shuanghe Village, Longhua Street, Zhenyi District, Qujing City, Yunnan Province (云南省曲靖市沾益区龙华街道双河社区上双河村)
Nearby Landmarks: Located in the central area of Longhua Street, near public service facilities in Shuanghe Community.

History and Culture

Establishment Background: The mosque was originally built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty and was officially registered in 1996.
Historical Development: The mosque’s main structure follows traditional Chinese palace architecture and has been preserved through maintenance and restoration.
Historical Significance: The prayer hall features Qing Dynasty couplet stone carvings, while the courtyard includes a well with Arabic inscriptions praising the faith.

Social Function and Cultural Heritage

Staffed with religious professionals, the mosque is guided by the Islamic Association.
The mosque’s design incorporates wood-carved artwork and Islamic crescents on the roof, reflecting a unique blend of Chinese and Islamic architectural elements.

These mosques, each with over 600 years of religious heritage, stand as open doors to visitors. They serve not only as places of worship but also as significant windows into the city’s “Copper Merchant Culture” and “Ancient City Civilization.” As the sounds of the evening prayers mingle with the lights of the South City Gate, one can truly feel the cultural pulse of Qujing.