Najiahu Mosque in Yongning County, Yinchuan

Najiahu Mosque (纳家户清真寺) is a historic mosque located in Najiahu Village, Yanghe Township, Yongning County, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. Najiahu Mosque is located in Najiahu Village, Yanghe Township, Yongning County, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The mosque covers an area of approximately 9,000 square meters.

Historical Background

  • Foundation: Najiahu Mosque was established in the Ming Dynasty during the Jiajing period (1524) by descendants of the Yuan Dynasty noble Sai Dianchi and Zhen Siding’s offspring, who migrated from Shaanxi to Ningxia. The current buildings are mainly a reconstruction from the late Qing Dynasty.
  • Significance: Najiahu Mosque is a traditional medieval-style mosque that faces west and covers around 9,000 square meters. It blends Arabic and Han Tang architectural styles and includes a main prayer hall, a bunker building, a moon-watching tower, wing rooms, a study room, and a bathing room. The mosque is arranged in a rectangular shape, following the traditional Chinese courtyard layout.
  • Cultural Value: Najiahu Mosque has a long history and distinctive architectural style, making it significant for studying the history of Islam’s introduction to Ningxia.
  • Protection: On March 5, 2013, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China designated Najiahu Mosque as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

Historical Development

  • Establishment: The mosque was founded in 1524 by descendants of Sai Dianchi and Zhen Siding, who moved to Ningxia from Shaanxi.
  • Renovations: During the Qing Dynasty, especially in the Qianlong and Tongzhi periods, the mosque suffered severe damage and was subsequently repaired. The existing structures are primarily from the late Qing Dynasty reconstruction.
  • Recent Developments: After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, the party’s religious policies were reinstated, leading to the mosque’s reconstruction and expansion.

Architectural Layout

  • Design: Najiahu Mosque is a traditional medieval-style building facing east, covering about 9,000 square meters. The mosque integrates Arabic and Han Tang architectural elements, including a main prayer hall, a bunker building, a moon-watching tower, wing rooms, a study room, and a bathing room. The layout is rectangular, following the classic Chinese courtyard style.

Main Buildings

  • Screen Wall: Positioned outside the main entrance, the screen wall is designed in a “one-character” style, representing a key example of mosque screen walls in Ningxia.
  • Gate Tower: The gate tower features an archway structure with an ancient-style eaves, horizontal railings, brackets, lotus-shaped columns, and Islamic-style brick carvings. It includes a three-story bunker building with a sloping roof in the center and Arabic-style two-story towers with round spires on the sides. The overall layout is rigorous and orderly.
  • Prayer Hall: The prayer hall, covering approximately 1,102 square meters, features a large roof with sweeping eaves. The front has a five-bay roof with supporting columns and flying eaves. The main hall connects to a large chamber with 108 massive columns arranged in a crisscross pattern. The top is adorned with cloud dragon eaves, and the arches include intricate carvings of dragons, phoenixes, and other motifs, blending Chinese and Arabic architectural styles. The hall is spacious, with brown wooden flooring and carpet, accommodating up to 1,500 worshippers.
  • Other Buildings: On either side of the main hall are wing rooms used for meetings, guest reception, and living quarters for clerics and students. The bathing area is located at the back of the southern wing, covering about 240 square meters.

Cultural Heritage

  • Decorations: The rear wall of the prayer hall features gold-scripted scriptures and four antique reliefs. Above the hall’s entrance, there are five plaques donated by notable figures, inscribed with phrases such as “Pure and Bright,” “The Path is Ancient,” and “True Islam.” Notable inscriptions include “Gujiao Zhengzong” by the Governor of Shaanxi-Gansu Yang Yuchun in the Daoguang era, and “Dao Ben Gu Chu” by General Dong Fuxiang in the Guangxu era. One plaque reads, “Our family left Qin and moved to Xixia; our mosque was built in the Ming Jiajing period,” which records both the construction date and the migration of the Hui people from Shaanxi.
  • Wood Carvings: The mosque features rich wood carvings with various themes and designs, including geometric patterns, plant motifs, and poetic scenes such as landscapes and musical instruments. The colorful and elaborate decorations contribute to the mosque’s grandeur and distinct ethnic characteristics.

Value and Protection

  • Historical and Cultural Value: Najiahu Mosque has a rich history and unique architectural style, making it important for studying the history of Islam in Ningxia.
  • Protection: On March 5, 2013, Najiahu Mosque was designated as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit by the State Council.

Tourist Information

  • Location: Najiahu Mosque is located in Najiahu Village, Yanghe Township, Yongning County, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
  • Driving Directions: From the Yongning County People’s Government in Yinchuan, the mosque is approximately 1.8 kilometers away, about a 5-minute drive.