Muslim Hui Ethnic Regions in China

The Hui ethnic group is one of the largest Muslim minorities in China, with their communities spread across various provinces, towns, and regions. Their Islamic faith has a long history in the country, blending with traditional Chinese culture and creating unique cultural landscapes. Below are key Muslim Hui ethnic towns, counties, provinces, and regions in China where the Hui population is prominent.

1. Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is the primary center of the Hui population in China. Located in the north-central part of the country, Ningxia is home to millions of Hui Muslims, and its capital, Yinchuan, is known for its vibrant Islamic culture. The region has a rich history of Islamic traditions, mosques, and festivals.

Major Hui Towns and Cities: Yinchuan, Guyuan, Wuzhong, Zhongwei, Tongxin.
Key Attractions: Nanguan Mosque, China Hui Culture Park, Xumishan Grottoes.
2. Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province
Known as “Little Mecca” in China, Linxia is a significant center for Hui Muslims and Islamic education in Gansu Province. This town is a focal point for Islamic scholarship and has numerous mosques, madrasas, and Muslim festivals.

Major Hui Towns: Linxia City, Jishishan, Guanghe.
Key Attractions: Linxia Grand Mosque, Baoji Mosque, Muslim markets.
3. Xining, Qinghai Province
Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, has a large Hui population and is an important Muslim cultural center in northwestern China. The city and surrounding areas are dotted with mosques and are key centers for Hui religious activities.

Key Attractions: Dongguan Mosque, Qinghai Hui Culture Museum.
Nearby Hui Areas: Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Hualong Hui Autonomous County.
4. Tongxin County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Tongxin County, located in southern Ningxia, is one of the oldest Hui Muslim communities in the region. The county is known for its traditional Islamic architecture, particularly the Tongxin Mosque, which is one of the oldest in China.

Key Attractions: Tongxin Mosque, Hui cultural festivals.
5. Zhongwei, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Zhongwei is a town situated along the Yellow River in Ningxia and is known for its Hui Muslim population and unique desert landscape. It features traditional Hui culture and stunning natural scenery.

Key Attractions: Zhongwei Mosque, Shapotou Desert Scenic Area.
6. Dachang Hui Autonomous County, Hebei Province
Located near Beijing, Dachang Hui Autonomous County is home to a large Hui Muslim population. The county is an important religious center with several mosques and is known for its Islamic religious activities and festivals.

Key Attractions: Dongguan Mosque, Hui cultural performances.
7. Jishishan Bonan, Dongxiang, and Salar Autonomous County, Gansu Province
Jishishan County in Gansu Province is a culturally diverse area with significant Hui, Dongxiang, and Salar Muslim populations. The county is known for its Islamic traditions and cultural diversity.

Key Attractions: Jishishan Mosque, Hui and Salar cultural festivals.
8. Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Qinghai Province
Hualong is a Hui-dominated region in Qinghai Province, known for its beautiful location in the foothills of the Tibetan Plateau. The town preserves strong Islamic traditions, with mosques and halal markets catering to the local Muslim population.

Key Attractions: Hualong Mosque, local halal food markets.
9. Guyuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Located in southern Ningxia, Guyuan is a predominantly Hui town with deep connections to Islamic culture. Guyuan is home to numerous mosques and offers visitors insights into the daily lives of Hui Muslims.

Key Attractions: Guyuan Mosque, Xumishan Grottoes.
10. Xunhua Salar Autonomous County, Qinghai Province
Xunhua is home to the Salar people, another Muslim ethnic group closely related to the Hui. Xunhua is an important Islamic cultural center and is known for its beautiful mosques and religious schools.

Key Attractions: Xunhua Mosque, Red Army Memorial Hall.
11. Turpan, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
While Xinjiang is better known for its Uyghur population, Hui Muslims also play a significant role in cities like Turpan. The Hui community here maintains a distinct blend of Chinese and Central Asian Islamic traditions.

Key Attractions: Emin Minaret, Islamic architecture in Turpan.
12. Kunming, Yunnan Province
Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, has a notable Hui Muslim community, particularly in the Madian Mosque and surrounding areas. The Hui people in Kunming run numerous halal restaurants and are an important part of the city’s cultural diversity.

Key Attractions: Madian Mosque, Shuncheng Mosque, Halal food markets.
13. Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Chengdu is another city with a significant Hui Muslim population. The city’s Muslim Quarter features mosques and halal restaurants, reflecting the deep-rooted Islamic culture in this southwestern Chinese metropolis.

Key Attractions: Chengdu Mosque, Halal food streets.
14. Xi’an, Shaanxi Province
Xi’an is home to one of the most famous Muslim quarters in China, with a significant Hui Muslim population. The Great Mosque of Xi’an, one of the oldest and most well-preserved mosques in China, is located here. The city’s Hui community dates back over a millennium, reflecting the importance of the Silk Road in spreading Islam.

Key Attractions: Great Mosque of Xi’an, Muslim Quarter, Halal markets.
15. Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
While Urumqi is known as a hub for the Uyghur Muslim population, Hui Muslims also have a prominent presence in the city. Hui mosques and halal markets can be found throughout the city, blending Central Asian and Chinese Islamic influences.

Key Attractions: Urumqi International Grand Bazaar, Urumqi Hui mosques.
Conclusion
China’s Hui Muslim communities are spread across the country, from bustling metropolises to small desert towns. Each region offers a unique blend of Islamic traditions, Chinese culture, and local customs. For travelers interested in exploring Hui Muslim culture, these towns, counties, and regions provide an authentic glimpse into the lives of one of China’s most enduring Islamic communities.