Huaisheng Mosque (Remember the Sage Mosque)

Huaisheng Mosque (Remember the Sage Mosque)



Guangzhou City is the cradle of the Marine Silk Road in the ancient
China. Along with the development of marine trade, Buddhism, Islam and
Christianity were introduced to Guangzhou City. Huaisheng Mosque, one
of the four ancient mosques of Islam in China, is a site of historical
importance connected to the Marine Silk Road.



Huaisheng Mosque is one of the earliest mosques established after
Islam was introduced to China and was built in the Tang Dynasty (618 -
907). To commemorate the founder of Islam - Mohammed, the mosque is
called Huaisheng (remember the Sage). The mosque now standing was
rebuilt in 1695 in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). Its main features
are Sandao Men, Wangyue Lou, Church Hall and Sutra-Preserved Pavilion.



There is an eye-catching sight in the southwest corner of the mosque,
called the Light Tower which was built using typical Arabian
architecture. The tower stands 36 meters (about 118 feet) high and
there are two spiral staircases inside, circling the central axis to
the top of the tower. In ancient times, the Light Tower was a beacon
overlooking Zhujiang River guiding Arabian ships. Businessmen would
always know they were near Guangzhou when they saw the tower.



The Huaisheng Mosque and Light Tower are symbols of the friendship
between Islamic countries and China, which also offer an insight into
the study of Islamic development in China.