Shadian Grand Mosque in Gejiu City, Honghe

Shadian Grand Mosque (沙甸大清真寺) is a Chinese imperial-style architectural mosque located in Shadian Subdistrict (沙甸街道), Gejiu City (个旧市). In 1963, a historical survey in Shadian Village (沙甸村) found that a mosque made of straw already existed in Xiying (西营) during the early Ming Dynasty. According to the Gazetteer of Mengzi County (《蒙自县志》), "The mosque in Shadian was first established during the reign of Hongzhi in the Ming Dynasty." The documented Shadian Mosque dates back to the Hongzhi period (1488–1505) and has been destroyed by fire twice. Despite multiple reconstructions and expansions, the mosque has retained the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties and is considered one of the ancient mosques in southern Yunnan.

As one of the historical mosques in southern Yunnan, Shadian Grand Mosque (沙甸大清真寺) embodies deep cultural and historical heritage. Though repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, it has preserved the architectural elegance of the Ming and Qing courts. Beyond being a site for religious activities, the mosque also serves educational and cultural purposes, such as hosting a Muslim girls’ school and a kindergarten, providing diverse services to the community. Architecturally, the mosque features a well-organized layout including a main prayer hall, a minaret, and northern and southern side buildings, forming a square courtyard and showcasing distinct aesthetic characteristics. It has also attracted many renowned Islamic scholars who enriched its religious and cultural life. Today, Shadian Grand Mosque has become a local cultural landmark, drawing numerous visitors eager to experience its rich historical legacy and cultural charm.

Chinese Name: 沙甸大清真寺
Location: Shadian Subdistrict (沙甸街道), Gejiu City (个旧市), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州)
Climate: Subtropical
Famous Attraction: Minaret (宣礼楼)
Architectural Style: Chinese imperial style

Historical Development

According to the Gazetteer of Mengzi County (《蒙自县志》), the mosque in Shadian was established during the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty (1488–1505). It was destroyed by fire twice.

In 1684 (the 23rd year of Kangxi), villagers in Shadian raised funds to build a new mosque. The new structure was grander than the original and included provisions for long-term operation through the establishment of land ownership and endowment, commemorated in a stele inscription titled “Shadian Mosque Land Donation Record” (《沙甸清真寺捐资置田碑记》). This mosque, known as Shajian Tian Mosque (沙简天清真寺), was located near Sancha Street (三岔街) in Shadian.

In 1765 (the 30th year of Qianlong), with social stability and improved living standards, the mosque was expanded into a larger, more functional complex.

Despite several reconstructions, the mosque retained the Ming and Qing imperial architectural style, making it a notable ancient mosque in southern Yunnan.

Between November 1974 and February 1975, the mosque was expanded again, adding about 100 square meters to the north and south of the main hall.

In July 1975, the mosque was destroyed during the “Shadian Incident” (沙甸事件). After the incident was rectified in February 1979, reconstruction was funded by both the government and local donations. Within half a year, the mosque was rebuilt on the south side of the original site.

The rebuilt mosque covered a land area of 5,872 square meters, with a construction area of 3,872 square meters. The prayer hall alone spanned 2,141 square meters. The layout included the main prayer hall, north and south side buildings, and the minaret, forming a square courtyard. The hall, located on the west side, was made with reinforced concrete and had three domed roofs. A platform of 400 square meters lay in front of the hall, with the inscription “Chaozhen Hall” (朝真殿) displayed above.

In February 1981, construction of the main prayer hall and the minaret was completed. The minaret, located on the east side, stood 29.7 meters tall, built as a six-story tower in reinforced concrete. It bore the golden inscription “Xingmeng Tower” (醒梦楼) on its top, each character approximately one square meter in size, surrounded by decorative floral patterns.

After the mosque's completion, Ma Kaixian (马开贤) was appointed as the imam of Shadian Grand Mosque.

From February 28 to March 1, 1981, a grand inauguration ceremony was held. Additional buildings were added later, including north and south auxiliary rooms—24 two-story brick-concrete dormitories and classrooms for students.

In 1988, after the relocation of Gejiu No. 13 Middle School (个旧市十三中学) to Fengwei Village (凤尾村), the Shadian District government allocated the school’s former facilities, including teaching buildings, staff dormitories, and playgrounds, for the mosque’s educational use. This expanded the mosque's area to 21,000 square meters.

Between 1992 and 1994, local villagers raised 971,955 yuan to construct the “Shadian Muslim Girls’ School” (沙甸清真女校) to the north of the minaret, covering 1,460 square meters.

In September 1999, a kindergarten was established within the school.

However, due to the unstable foundation of the original prayer hall built in 1981—constructed over low-lying paddy fields and completed in a short timeframe—the building began sinking, and cracks formed on its walls by 2000, turning it into a hazardous structure. After careful consultation, the Shadian Mosque Management Committee decided to relocate and rebuild the grand mosque in Shihuayuan (柿花园).

Renowned Islamic Scholars

Several esteemed Islamic scholars have served at Shadian Grand Mosque, including:

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Recommended Tour Routes

Touring with us will make your time well-spent well spent and your trip in Shadian Grand Mosque with a unique experience. Join us in the following tours:

6 Days Kunming Shadian Muslim Tour with Yuanyang Rice Terraces and Jianshui Old Town
7 Days Yunnan Muslim Culture Tour with Shadian Mosque and Yuanyang Rice Terraces
13 Days Yunnan Muslim Culture Discovery Tour

Travel tips

1. The mosque is free to visit.
2. Take off your shoes before you come in.
3. Ladies should wear headscarves when she comes in Shadian Grand Mosque.
4. Non-Muslims can't enter the hall.