Jiming Mosque in Eryuan County, Dali

Jiming Mosque (鸡鸣清真寺) is located in Tuanjie Village (团结村), Yousuo Town (右所镇), Eryuan County (洱源县), Yunnan Province (云南省). It was originally built in the 20th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1894). The mosque integrates traditional Bai (白族) architectural styles with Islamic cultural features. The current minaret was added in 1992. It serves as the central religious venue for the local “Bai Hui” (白回), a Hui Muslim community influenced by Bai culture. In September 2023, it was included in the recommended list of the seventh batch of Ethnic Unity and Progress Demonstration Units of Dali Prefecture (大理州).

Historical Background

The mosque was first constructed in 1894. The existing minaret was built in 1992. As a major Islamic site in the Dengchuan Basin (邓川坝子) region, it has carried over a century of religious development for the Hui communities of western Yunnan. According to 2020 records, the mosque was under renovation at that time.

Architectural Features

The mosque presents a classic architectural layout of western Yunnan’s Hui Muslim community, characterized by:

• The use of traditional Bai wood-and-earth construction techniques
• Eaves and corners decorated with Islamic geometric patterns
• The minaret preserving Qing Dynasty beam structure features
• Decorative motifs combining Qur’anic calligraphy with local floral patterns

Cultural Significance

As one of the oldest surviving mosques in Eryuan County (洱源县):

• It bears witness to the unique integration of Bai and Hui cultures
• It preserves late Qing and early Republican-era Islamic architectural craftsmanship of western Yunnan
• It plays a key role in maintaining the religious and cultural heritage of the local “Bai Hui” (白回) community
• Its 2023 nomination as a model unit for ethnic unity highlights its important role in promoting interethnic harmony

Geographic Setting

According to 2023 geographic data:

• Located in the core area of Tuanjie Village (团结村), Yousuo Town (右所镇), Eryuan County (洱源县)
• Approximately 100 meters east of Tuanjie Guangli Kindergarten (团结光丽幼儿园)
• Surrounded by traditional mixed Bai-Hui communities
• Set against the foothills of the Luoping Mountain (罗坪山) range

Social Functions

In addition to religious services, the mosque also serves as:

• A base for ethnic unity and progress education
• A venue for cross-cultural exchange
• A host site for traditional festive activities

Built in 1894, and with the current minaret added in 1992, Jiming Mosque (鸡鸣清真寺) continues to be a key cultural and religious landmark in the region.