Tucked away in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, the Great Learning Alley Mosque is a free attraction

The Great Learning Alley Mosque, located on the north side of the Great Learning Alley in West Avenue, Xi'an, is a mosque hidden in the alleys of the Muslim Quarter, also known as the West Great Mosque, and is one of the oldest mosques in Xi'an. According to the existing stone inscriptions in the mosque, it was originally built in the year of Yisi during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty (705 AD), and was named Qingjiao Temple. It was renamed Tangming Temple during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, and was given the name Huihui Wanshan Temple during the Zhongtong period of the Yuan Dynasty, and was named Qingzhen Mosque during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty. The mosque has undergone several renovations and expansions, including contributions from the Yuan Dynasty's Sayyid Ajall (a Semu person, a famous Hui politician of the Yuan Dynasty), the Ming Dynasty's Minister of War Tie Xuan (Hui), and the renowned navigator Zheng He (Hui). In 1413, when Zheng He was preparing for his fourth voyage to the Western Seas, everything was ready except for a translator proficient in Arabic and Sinhala. After a national audition, Zheng He finally invited Hasan, the head of the Great Learning Alley Mosque in Xi'an, to take on this important task. Hasan did not disappoint and completed the mission perfectly. After returning to the country, Zheng He and Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty renovated the mosque, and thus Zheng He presided over this major renovation. The mosque still preserves the 'Zheng He Stele' that records this history, which is also a national treasure-level cultural relic well-preserved in the mosque. The architectural style of the Great Learning Alley Mosque blends Chinese tradition with Islamic cultural elements. Most of the existing buildings in the mosque were rebuilt under the supervision of Zheng He. The architecture adopts the traditional Chinese courtyard style, mainly with wooden structures, displaying a distinct Chinese style. The mosque consists of buildings such as the screen wall, stone arch, main gate, three courtyards, Xinxin Pavilion, north and south halls, stele pavilion, Imam's room, bathing room, and the main prayer hall. The Xinxin Pavilion was built during the Song Dynasty, a four-cornered tower-style building with three layers and three eaves, with a solemn and elegant layout, now painted in colors, reflecting the green and flying cinnabar, exquisite and dazzling, still maintaining its original appearance to this day. The main hall's entrance hangs a plaque handwritten by Empress Dowager Cixi with the words 'Paiyan Tianfang', and the front center of the hall has a niche with the original text of the Quran written above, harmonious in color, and especially serene. The entire mosque is solemn and majestic, compact and spectacular, with an exterior that is simple and elegant, and an interior that is symmetrical and harmonious, possessing extremely high artistic value, and is now a key national cultural relics protection unit. 📍Detailed address: No. 94, Great Learning Alley, Lianhu District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 🚉Transportation strategy: {Board at Xi'an North Railway Station}, take the Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower Station, and walk for 30 minutes to reach. {Board at Xi'an Railway Station}, take bus 611 to Qiaozikou Station, and walk for 5 minutes to reach. 🕙Business hours: 08:00-19:00 🎫Ticket: Free admission