Salazu Ancient Mosque in Xining
Salazu Ancient Mosque (西宁市撒拉族古清真寺), also known as Liaowan Mosque, was originally built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1736–1795). It underwent significant expansion in 1988 and now occupies an area of approximately 3 mu (about 2,000 square meters). The mosque’s main prayer hall is designed in a traditional Chinese architectural style, featuring a convex-shaped hall with a single-eave hip roof structure and a total building area of around 467 square meters.
Architectural Features
- The Bunker (minaret) of the mosque is an exquisitely designed three-story hexagonal tower.
- The first floor is built with bricks, while the second and third floors are entirely made of wood.
- The roof features flying eaves and upturned corners, a hallmark of classical Chinese architecture.
- The top of the tower is crowned with a pavilion-style spire, adding to the grandeur of the structure.
Visiting Information
- Recommended Visit Duration: 1-3 hours
- Opening Hours:
- 08:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Monday-Sunday, all year round)
- Ticket Information:
- Ticket prices are not specified. Please contact the mosque or relevant tourist services for more details.
How to Get There
- By Bus: You can take the following bus routes:
- 101, 102, 103, 10, 14, 1, or 21.
- Get off at the Xining Mansion (西宁大厦) stop. From there, it’s a 5-minute walk to the mosque.
- By Taxi: Ask the driver to take you to 105 Dazhong Street, Chengdong District, Xining (青海省西宁市城东区大众街105号).
The Salazu Ancient Mosque is a cultural and religious landmark, blending Chinese architectural elegance with Islamic traditions, making it a key site to explore the history of the Salar ethnic group in the region.
