Najiahu Mosque in Yongning County, Yinchuan
Nanjiahu Mosque, located in Nanjiahu Village (纳家户村), Yanghe Township (杨和乡), Yongning County (永宁县), Yinchuan City (银川市), Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (宁夏回族自治区), is a significant historical and architectural site. The mosque spans approximately 9,000 square meters and serves as an important religious, cultural, and architectural landmark for the Hui Muslim community in the region.
Location and Overview
- Chinese Name: 纳家户清真寺 (Nanjiahu Mosque)
- Location: Nanjiahu Village, Yanghe Township, Yongning County, Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
- Era: Qing Dynasty (清朝)
- Protection Status: Listed as a National Key Cultural Heritage Site (第七批全国重点文物保护单位)
- Site Code: 7-1485-3-783
- Approved by: The State Council of the People’s Republic of China
Historical Significance
Nanjiahu Mosque was built in the early Ming Dynasty in 1524 during the reign of Emperor Jiajing, by descendants of Saidianchi (塞典赤), a noble family from the Yuan Dynasty. After their migration from Shaanxi Province to Ningxia, they established the mosque to serve as a place of worship for their community.
Over the centuries, the mosque has undergone several rounds of repairs and reconstructions. During the Qing Dynasty, the mosque faced severe damage during the reigns of Emperor Qianlong and Emperor Tongzhi. However, the mosque was restored, and the current structure largely dates back to the late Qing period. After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the mosque underwent another round of expansion and renovation in accordance with the national religious policies.
In 2013, the mosque was officially listed as a National Key Cultural Heritage Site by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, recognizing its historical, architectural, and cultural significance.
Architectural Layout
Nanjiahu Mosque follows a traditional Chinese courtyard layout, with the buildings arranged in a rectangular shape typical of ancient Chinese homes. The mosque combines elements of Arab architectural style with traditional Chinese designs from the Tang (唐) and Han (汉) dynasties.
The mosque features several important structures:
- Prayer Hall (礼拜大殿)
- Bunker Tower (邦克楼)
- Moon Viewing Tower (望月楼)
- Side Rooms (厢房)
- Study Room (书房)
- Bath House (沐浴房)
The mosque is oriented from west to east, with the main structures aligned along this axis. It covers an area of about 9,000 square meters, offering ample space for worshippers and visitors. The design of the mosque reflects both the Islamic and Chinese architectural traditions.
Key Architectural Features
Zhaobi (照壁) – The Decorative Wall
The mosque’s Zhaobi (照壁), a traditional decorative wall, is located just outside the main entrance. It is designed in a “one-character” shape (一字型), a unique and characteristic feature of Ningxia’s mosques. The Zhaobi helps to define the entrance and acts as a visual focal point for visitors.
Gatehouse (门楼)
The entrance gatehouse has an archway-style door, and above it, the roof is adorned with ancient-style eaves and beams. The gate features lotus-shaped columns, Islamic brick carvings, and intricate wooden details that add to the grandeur of the structure. The central part of the gatehouse is the Bunker Tower (邦克楼), a three-story structure with a traditional Xieshan (歇山) roof, flanked by two Moon Viewing Towers (望月楼), which are two-story buildings with pointed Arab-style roofs. This symmetrical layout demonstrates the fusion of Chinese and Islamic architectural traditions.
Prayer Hall (礼拜大殿)
The prayer hall is the centerpiece of the mosque and measures approximately 1,102 square meters. It is a grand structure with a traditional Xieshan (歇山) roof, featuring a sweeping, overhanging design that is typical in Chinese architecture. The hall is supported by 108 large wooden columns arranged in an intricate pattern that cross and interlink to form the massive space.
The hall’s roof is decorated with exquisite carvings, including images of double dragons playing with a pearl (双龙戏珠), phoenixes facing the sun (丹凤朝阳), and phoenixes playing with peonies (凤戏牡丹), combined with floral motifs. These designs represent both Chinese cultural symbols and Islamic influences, with Arabic calligraphy featuring verses from the Quran embedded within the decorations.
The prayer hall can accommodate up to 1,500 worshippers, and its vast space is furnished with brown wooden floors and carpets. This large, serene space is designed to provide an ideal environment for prayer and reflection.
Other Buildings
To the sides of the prayer hall, there are several side rooms that serve different purposes, including:
- Conference Rooms (会议室)
- Guest Reception Rooms (会客厅)
- Rooms for religious scholars and Imams (阿訇) for study and living purposes
- A bath house (沐浴房) located at the rear of the southern wing, covering about 240 square meters.
Cultural and Artistic Heritage
The mosque houses many cultural and artistic treasures that reflect the fusion of Islamic and Chinese artistic traditions:
- Gold-Plated Scriptures (金色经文): The back wall of the prayer hall features golden Quranic verses, adding a sense of sanctity to the space.
- Inscribed Plaques (匾额): There are five plaques hung above the entrance, each written by prominent figures throughout Chinese history:
- “Pure and Bright” (清净光明)
- “The Doctrine of the Ancients” (道本古初)
- “True and Unchanging” (清真无二)
- “Nanjiahu Mosque” (纳家户清真寺)
- A plaque marking the founding year, reading: “Our family abandoned Qin and moved to the Western Xia region; our mosque was established during the Ming Jiajing era” (吾家弃秦移居西夏，吾寺起建于明嘉靖年间).
These inscriptions provide valuable historical insights, highlighting the mosque’s role in the history of Islam in Ningxia and its connection to the Hui Muslim community’s migration from Shaanxi.
The mosque’s wood carvings are a prominent feature, depicting a wide range of themes, from landscapes to chess and musical instruments, all presented with bright colors and bold patterns. These motifs reflect the mosque’s aesthetic and cultural values, blending Islamic art with Chinese design principles.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Nanjiahu Mosque holds immense value for the study of Islam’s introduction into Ningxia and the cultural exchange between Hui Muslims and the broader Chinese community. The mosque’s architectural style, inscriptions, and decorations provide a rich cultural record, blending Chinese traditions with Islamic religious practices. As a National Key Cultural Heritage Site, it is an important resource for understanding the history of Islam in China and the development of religious architecture in the region.
How to Get There
- By Car: From the People’s Government of Yongning County (永宁县人民政府) in Yinchuan, take the route heading toward Nanjiahu Village (纳家户村). The mosque is located about 1.8 kilometers from the government office, and the drive takes about 5 minutes.
- By Public Transport: You can take a taxi or local bus from the city center of Yinchuan to Nanjiahu Village (纳家户村). It is recommended to check the local transport options in advance.
Travel Tips
- Respect Local Customs: As Nanjiahu Mosque is an active place of worship, visitors should dress modestly. Women are encouraged to wear headscarves, and both men and women should avoid wearing shorts or revealing clothing.
- Best Time to Visit: For a more immersive experience, visit during Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, when special prayers and ceremonies are held at the mosque.
- Photography Etiquette: Always ask for permission before taking photos inside the mosque, particularly in areas where religious practices are ongoing.
- Language: Although Arabic calligraphy is a significant feature of the mosque, the primary language spoken is Mandarin Chinese. Learning basic Mandarin phrases will help enhance your visit.
- Nearby Attractions: After visiting Nanjiahu Mosque, you may want to explore other Islamic sites in Ningxia, such as the Great Mosque of Yinchuan (银川大清真寺) and Xixia Mausoleum (西夏陵), which further enrich the historical context of the region.
