Zhuyuan Mosque in Mile City, Honghe

Zhuyuan Mosque in Mile City, Honghe
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Zhuyuan Mosque (竹园清真寺) is located in Zhuyuan Town (竹园镇), Mile County (弥勒县), Yunnan Province (云南省). It was originally built in the 16th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1890). The mosque covers an area of approximately 2.5 mu, with the main hall constructed in the traditional Chinese palace architectural style, occupying 400 square meters.

  • Address: Zhuyuan Town (竹园镇), Mile County (弥勒县), Yunnan Province (云南省)
  • Year Built: 1890 (Qing Dynasty, 16th year of Guangxu reign)
  • Area: Approximately 2.5 mu
  • Postal Code: 652304
  • Current Imam: Lin Songshan (林松山)
  • Current School Director: Lin Songshan (林松山)

Historical Development

The mosque was founded in 1890 during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. Since its establishment, it has served as a vital religious center for local Muslims.

Structure and Layout

Zhuyuan Mosque covers an area of about 2.5 mu, with a total construction area of 800 square meters. The main hall alone covers 400 square meters and adopts the traditional Chinese palace style. The main gate bears a plaque reading “Dao Zi Xi Chuan” (道自西传, “The Way Came from the West”). A pair of antithetical couplets reads:

  • “Qingzhen gendi yuan qing wu banlü wu peiou, du yi wu er, zhigao wushang” (清真根底原清无伴侣无配偶，独一无二，至高无上)
  • “Zhehai ling ye zi zu chuan shengjiao, shou moli, you shi you zhong, zhengda guangming” (哲海令耶自祖传圣教，受磨砺，有始有终，正大光明)
  • On the side pillars, another couplet is inscribed:
  • “Bai Zhenzhu daotang li xiangyan piaomiao, jingsheng langlang” (拜真主道堂里香烟缥缈，经声朗朗)
  • “Zan Mu Sheng siyuan nei zhuangyan jingsu, qiqiu quanquan” (赞穆圣寺院内庄严静肃，祈求拳拳)

The mosque is organized around a rectangular courtyard and divided into two main sections: the front and the rear. The rear contains the main prayer hall, southern and northern scripture halls, and a gatehouse. The front includes the entrance gate, outer courtyard, screen wall, well house, and ablution room. The architecture as a whole embodies the characteristics of traditional Chinese design.

Community and Religious Life

Zhuyuan Mosque has 5 school directors and 16 imams (Ahong). It serves 260 Hui households, totaling 1,065 believers, affiliated with both the Laogedimu (老格迪目) and Jahriyya (哲赫忍耶) traditions. The current Imam, Mr. Lin Songshan (林松山), graduated from the Arabic program at the Dahuicun Mosque (大回村清真寺) in 1947 and has devoted decades to religious education, nurturing many local religious talents and having a significant impact.

Each year on the 13th day of the 10th lunar month, the mosque holds a solemn memorial ceremony to honor the Muslim martyrs of Zhuyuan from the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty. The mosque has affiliated “Shaoma” (稍麻) mosques in Banjiao Village (芭蕉村), Hongshagou (红沙沟), and Wanjiazhuang (万家庄). One of the local Hajj pilgrims is Ms. Ma Shuangfeng (马双凤), respectfully referred to as “Ma Shimu” (马师母).

Location and Transportation

Located in Zhuyuan Town (竹园镇), Mile County (弥勒县), Yunnan Province (云南省)