Southern Mosque

Located in the downtown of Urumqi in Xinjiang Province, the Southern Mosque is an important historic heritage site. The Islamic mosque is well-preserved and is the gathering place for the Muslim to worship. Covering an area of about one acre, it was first built in 1919 and subsequently renovated on three different occasions.  There is a Prayer Hall can accommodate around 1,000 people to worship in total.

The most eye-catching architectural features on the property are found in the minaret; the bathing pool; the guest reception hall and most impressive and exquisite of all, the prayer hall. The roof the prayer hall is covered with a variety of glazed tiles and the ceiling is decorated with colorful patterns of flowers and plants. There are also 22 flying dragons carved on the ridge that add to the building's magnificence. The prayer hall has an inside section that can accommodate about 300 worshippers and an outside with a capacity of 500. The corridor walls separating the two sections are festooned with vividly painted screens of orchids, bamboos and water lilies.

There are various local delicacies around the mosque such as roasted sheep, Nang (a kind of baked bread), grilled mutton, lamb kebab, SHou Zhua Fan (rice eaten with hands). These delicacies are tasty and aromatic. Visitors can buy them from the vendors. By the way, it is great difference in temperature during day and night. Thus it is advisable for visitors to take coats or sweaters by themselves. (Things to remember: do not touch the paintings, keep quiet; and do not wear shorts, sandals and short skirts. These are considered rude in their culture)

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