Xiazuosuo Mosque in Chengjiang County, Yuxi

Xiazuosuo Mosque (下左所清真寺), also known as Jingsheng Hall (敬圣堂), is a mosque located in Zuosuo Township (左所乡), Chengjiang County (澄江县), Yunnan Province (云南省). Historically, after the Xinhai Revolution, it was designated as the central mosque for teaching Islamic scripture in Chengjiang (澄江). Prominent scholars such as Ma Minggao (马明高) and Ma Liangqing (马亮卿) once taught here, nurturing many students.

• Chinese Name: 澄江县下左所清真寺
• Address: Zuosuo Township (左所乡), Chengjiang County (澄江县), Yunnan Province (云南省)
• Postal Code: 652500
• Current Imam: Ma Yunruo (马云若)

Historical Background

Also known as Jingsheng Hall (敬圣堂), the mosque has deep historical roots. During the early Yuan Dynasty, when Kublai Khan (忽必烈) led his army into Yunnan, many Hui people from Central Asia who followed Islam served in his forces. After the conquest, some soldiers and auxiliary personnel settled in Yunnan to farm. Xiazuosuo (下左所) was one of the military garrison points established at that time. A simple mosque was built during the initial settlement.

During the Ming Dynasty, as the social and economic conditions improved, the mosque was formally constructed. It underwent major renovations during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty and again in the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty. Another renovation was carried out at the end of the Qing Dynasty.

During the Hui Muslim uprisings against the Qing Dynasty in the Xianfeng and Tongzhi periods, seven out of eight mosques in Chengjiang were burned down. Xiazuosuo Mosque (下左所清真寺) survived because the garrison commander Ma Ao (马熬) surrendered to the rebel Hui general Ma Zhong (马忠), who led Qing troops to occupy the village and used the mosque as a military camp. From there, the Qing army advanced into the Chengjiang basin.

After the Xinhai Revolution, the mosque was designated as the central Islamic educational institution in Chengjiang (澄江). Scholars such as Ma Minggao (马明高) and Ma Liangqing (马亮卿) taught scripture here and mentored many students. Since 1982, Ma Yunfang (马云芳) established the “My Teacher’s Platform” (吾师台) at the mosque to continue teaching. Over time, five cohorts graduated, totaling 12 students.

Geography and Transportation

Xiazuosuo Mosque (下左所清真寺) is located in Zuosuo Township (左所乡), Chengjiang County (澄江县), Yunnan Province (云南省), and is accessible by local roads and transportation networks.