Id Kah Mosque----- the Biggest Mosque in China

Id Kah Mosque has been the heart of the region's traditional Muslim culture since its completion in 1442. 'Id Kah' means 'a place of praying and celebrating in festivals'. The Id Kah Mosque is located on the central square in Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region. As the biggest mosque in China, it is a group of old Islamic constructions with strong ethnic style and religious features.

The Mosque was first built in 1442 with a history of over 500 years. The building complex is in a grand Islamic style with strong religious features, which consists of a gate tower, a courtyard, a doctrine-teaching hall and a big Hall of Prayer.

Winding through Tower Gate, visitors will see a big Courtyard. On the south and north sides of the courtyard lines 18 doctrine-teaching halls. In the courtyard, poplar trees tower high up against the blue sky, pines and cypresses flourish. The whole yard is heavily shaded. A pool with crystal water in the yard like a pearl embeds among the lush vegetation. The yard provides a tranquil and secluded environment for relaxing and refreshing.

The Hall of Prayer is on a high dais in the west end of the mosque. The roof is held by light blue pillars and all the pillars form a rectangular shape. Around the roof and the pillars are exquisite carvings and beautiful pictures. The brick gate tower faces the Id Kah Square. This tower is full of elaborate flower-pattern carvings, mainly in green.

Every day thousands of worshippers come here to pray. Every Friday afternoon, Muslims who live far and near all gather here to worship. During religious festivals all the Muslims in Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region come to this sacred place to celebrate. At prayer time, the mosque, the square, the streets and the roads all around are full of piously kneeling Muslims. Afterwards, all the people get together on the square in front of the Id Kah Mosque and dance to show their happiness, with no sign of exhaustion.

Visitors are tolerated but only to the extent that they show the expected levels of respect for the institution. Women are advised to cover up bare limbs and all visitors should be wary of turning a serious place of daily worship into a touristic spectacle (it's not unheard of for outsiders who disturb the mosque's sanctity to be ushered off the premises). It's best to pick the right time to visit; mid-morning is usually the best bet for admission, while Fridays and major prayer days are no go, though the scene outside the mosque on festival days can provide a real feast for the eyes and ears as traditional musicians accompany vigorous Uighur dance and song.

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