Songjiang Mosque in Shanghai
As one of the popular Shanghai mosques, it is the oldest Shanghai Muslim building in Shanghai, originally named Real Religion Mosque.
English Name: Songjiang Mosque in Shanghai
Chinese Name: 上海松江清真寺
Other Name: Real Religion Mosque
Recommended Visiting Time: 1 0r 3 hours
Opening Hours: 09:00 to 16:00
Location: No. 75, Gangpeng Lane, Huating Old Street, Zhongshan Central Road, Songjiang District
Songjiang Mosque
Songjiang Mosque (Chinese: 松江清真寺; pinyin: Sōngjiāng Qīngzhēnsì), formerly called the Real Religion Mosque, is a mosque in Songjiang District, Shanghai, China. It is the oldest mosque in Shanghai.
Why is Songjiang Mosque So Special
As one of the popular Shanghai mosques, it is the oldest Shanghai Muslim building in Shanghai, originally named Real Religion Mosque. Covering 4,900 sq meters (about 5,860 sq yd), the building was first built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The existing shadow wall shows the cultural communication between China and Arabia.
Introduction of Songjiang Mosque
Architecture
The mosque covers an area of 4,900 m2. It was constructed in traditional Hui Muslim Chinese palace architecture with Arabic calligraphy. The mosque consists of the mail hall, prayer niche, corridor, two sermon halls and a bathroom. In the east of the mosque lies the Bunker Gate Tower for Muslims to do prayer. The prayer hall is located in the opposite of the tower in the west of the mosque. It is divided into the front and the back hall, with characteristics of Ming and Yuan architecture respectively.
History
The mosque was originally constructed during the Toghon Temür reign of Yuan Dynasty. It was rebuilt in 1391 and expanded three times during the Ming Dynasty. The mosque then went through four renovations during the Qing Dynasty. On 26 August 1908, the Shanghai municipal government listed the mosque as a cultural heritage. The mosque underwent renovation again in 1985.
How to get to Songjiang Mosque from Shanghai
The mosque is accessible within walking distance north of Zuibaichi Station of Shanghai Metro
- Line 9 Shanghai Metro 56 min
¥9 – ¥11 (Dapuqiao Station Zuibachi Park Zuibaichi) - Taxi from Shanghai to Zuibaichi 27 min
One-Way from: ¥110 – ¥140
Accommodation around Songjiang Mosque
- Songjiang New Century Grand Hotel
Located in Songjiang’s new town, Songjiang New Century Grand Hotel Shanghai is next to Central Park and Kaiyuan Square. It features a fitness centre, 6 dining options and reflexology centre. Songjiang New Century Grand Hotel Shanghai is a 20-minute drive Hongqiao Airport. Pudong International Airport is a 45-minute drive from the hotel. - Holiday Inn Shanghai Songjiang
Centrally located in Shanghai’s Songjiang District, the Holiday Inn provides a heated indoor pool and free internet. Offering free parking, it also has a 4 dining options and 24-hour room service.
Useful Travel Tips for Visiting Songjiang Mosque
- Clothing
Clothing should be modest, covering your arms and legs with no messages or slogans displayed. Shoes, hats and sunglasses should be removed before entering, with some mosques offering disposable covers for your feet. - Timing
Tourists should generally avoid visiting the mosque during prayer time, which happens five times a day according to the position of the sun. Fridays usually have group prayer from morning to late afternoon, so try to plan your visit after sundown. - Entering
Visitors should enter the building with their right foot first and exit with their left. “Assalam Allaikum” is the typical greeting, translating to “peace be upon you.” Visitors can reply with “Wa alaikum-as-salam,” meaning “peace be upon you too.” - Seeing
Photography is allowed but you should refrain from taking pictures of worshippers or during prayer time. Keep the flash off and avoid walking in front of people in prayer. - Holidays
Mosques during Muslim holidays like Ramadan are generally still open to the public, though visitors should pay extra attention to religious etiquette during these holy days.
