Haopan Mosque in Guangzhou
The Guangzhou Haopan Mosque广州市濠畔街清真寺 is one of the oldest existing mosques in Guangzhou. It is situated in Haopan Street, Renmin Middle Road of Guangzhou. Haopan Mosque covers an area of 1,491 square meters. It was listed as a city- level cultural relics protection unit in 1993.
Haopang Mosque was constructed in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The mosque was built in the Southern garden style. The existing buildings of the mosque are the main hall and the gate. The gate was built to face to the south while the main hall is located in the west with a width of 18.8 meters and depth of 19.6 meters.
Constructed in the Southern garden style, the Haopan Mosque is a quite outstanding architecture in Guangzhou . There are exquisite carving on the pillars and beams inside the hall. Haopan Mosque was used to serve as a public place for Muslims to attend religious activities. And now it is only open to Muslims.
Haopan Mosque in Guangzhou introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Haopan Mosque in Guangzhou.
Location and Accessibility
Address: Haopan Street, Renmin Middle Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City, China.
How to Get There:
- By Public Transport: You can reach Haopan Street Mosque by taking local buses to Yuexiu District. The mosque is situated on Haopan Street, which is accessible from Renmin Middle Road. Check the local bus routes for the most convenient stops.
Historical Background
Origins: The Haopan Street Mosque, also known as Haopan Temple, was established during the Chenghua period (1465-1487) of the Ming Dynasty. It was one of several mosques built to accommodate the Muslim military families stationed in Guangzhou following the Ming Dynasty’s conquest.
Reconstruction:
- The mosque was rebuilt on February 19, 1706, during the 45th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty.
Architectural Features
Scale and Structure:
- Area: The mosque covers an area of 1,491 square meters. Currently, only the main gate and the main hall remain.
- Main Gate: The gate faces south and is connected to newly built fire-resistant walls. The gateframe is inscribed with a stone plaque reading “Qingzhen Temple” (清真寺).
- Main Hall: The hall faces west and measures 18.8 meters in width and 19.6 meters in depth. It features a double-eaved gabled roof with a curved, tiled surface. The interior is adorned with intricate floral patterns and gilded wood carvings.
Architectural Style:
- Layout: The mosque follows a southern garden-style layout with fine structural details. The main hall is a five-bay structure with a heavy eaved gabled roof, originally covered with gray tiles. The ridge decorations have been damaged over time.
- Interior: The hall features six archway doors on each side, with intricate six-pointed diamond-shaped patterns. The golden pillars, with a diameter of 0.57 meters, rest on decorative bases. The corridor is supported by octagonal stone columns.
Accessibility for Visitors
Visitor Policy:
- The Haopan Street Mosque is open only to Muslims. It generally does not accommodate non-Muslim tourists.
Best Time to Visit
Optimal Visiting Period:
- Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are ideal times to visit Guangzhou due to the pleasant weather.
Travel Tips
- Respectful Attire: Ensure you dress modestly and respectfully when visiting the mosque.
- Local Customs: As the mosque is primarily for Muslim worshippers, visitors should be mindful of the religious practices observed there.
- Language: Knowing some basic Chinese phrases or having a local guide can enhance your visit.
