Xiguan Mosque
Mosque in Lanzhou, Gansu, China
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Xiguan Mosque (simplified Chinese: 西关清真寺; traditional Chinese: 西關清真寺; pinyin: Xīguān Qīngzhēnsì), also known as the West Cross Mosque Lanzhou, is a mosque in the Chengguan District of Lanzhou City, in the province of Gansu, China.[1]
| Xiguan Mosque | |
|---|---|
西关清真寺 | |
| |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 1 Cuiyingmen, Chengguan, Lanzhou City, Gansu |
| Country | China |
  Location of the mosque in Gansu | |
 Interactive map of Xiguan Mosque | |
| Coordinates | 36°03′36″N 103°48′34″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque |
| Style | Arabic Minimalism |
| Completed |
|
| Demolished | 1966–1967 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | c. 3,000 worshipers |
| Interior area | 141 m2 (1,520 sq ft) |
| Dome | 1 (added in 1990) |
| Dome height (outer) | 37 m (121 ft) |
| Minaret | 4 (removed in 2023) |
| Site area | 467 m2 (5,030 sq ft) |
History
The mosque was built during the Wanli Emperor of the Ming dynasty. During the Qing dynasty, the mosque underwent two major reconstructions. The mosque was rebuilt in 1990 when a dome was added with four pagoda-topped minarets. In 2023, the Lanzhou government transformed the Xiguan Mosque to a minimalist style, removing the dome and minarets[2][1][3] as part of a national effort to sinicize Islam in China.[4]
Architecture
The style of the mosque follows the Arabic Islamic and minimalist styles, while the prayer hall combines the Chinese classical and Arabic architectural styles. The mosque covers an area of 467 square metres (5,030 sq ft) with its prayer hall spanning 141 square metres (1,520 sq ft).
The architecture of the mosque was intended to mimic and echo the style of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.[5]
Gallery
The site of the mosque during the Ming Dynasty
Prayers in the hall
The mosque in 2010 when the four minarets were extant
