How to Visit the Great Mosque of Xi'an (by a Local Guide)

The Great Mosque of Xi'an is located in the Muslim community, just 300 meters from the Bell Tower.

It was first built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). At that time, many Arab merchants traveled to China along the Silk Road and introduced Islam to the region.

Intermarriage between these merchants and the Chinese people led to an increasing number of Chinese adopting the Islamic faith. Locally, they are known as Chinese Muslims.

The mosque was rebuilt by Empress Cixi in 1900 and is now the largest active mosque in Xi'an. You can explore this over 400-year-old mosque, complete with its halls and pavilions, and learn about Islamic culture in China.

Facts about the Great Mosque of Xi'an:

• Opening Hours: 9 am – 8 pm from March to November; 9 am – 6 pm from December to February
• Ticket Prices: CNY 25 (3.5 USD) from March to November; CNY 15 (2 USD) from December to February
• Recommended Visiting Time: 30–40 minutes
• Reservation: No reservation is needed to visit

Lily Liu

15 Years as a Local Guide in Xi'an

Hello! I'm Lily. Although I wasn't born in Xi'an, I fell in love with its rich history, vibrant culture, and wonderful people the moment I arrived. I'm fortunate to have my dream job as a local travel guide in Xi'an since 2009. I can't wait to stroll through the city, share its fascinating stories along the way, and sample its delicious local specialties together. Looking forward to seeing you in Xi'an!

Content Preview

• What to See in the Mosque
• Best Times
• What to Do around the Mosque
• Transportation
• Things Not to Do When Visiting

What to See in the Great Mosque of Xi'an

The first courtyard: the Imperial Hall

This mosque is entirely different from any others you might encounter. It lacks the traditional dome characteristic of Arab architecture, so when you first enter, you may not immediately recognize it as a mosque.

However, as you walk along the central axis and notice Arabic stone steles and carvings on the walls, you'll begin to realize its significance.

The mosque is designed in a courtyard style, featuring a central symmetrical layout typical of Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) architecture, consisting of four courtyards:

• In the first courtyard, you can see the Imperial Hall, which houses the only remaining Arabic stone tablet.
• The second courtyard contains the Introspection Tower, used for calling prayers.
• In the third courtyard, there's the Phoenix Pavilion, which resembles a phoenix ready to take flight.
• The fourth courtyard features a magnificent worship hall.

If you visit during prayer times, you'll see men coming to worship, while women pray in a separate area. They pray five times a day, just like Muslims around the world.

The timing of worship varies with the seasons, and both men and women from all over the world can gather in the prayer hall. Sometimes, you may even have the opportunity to engage in nice conversations with local Muslims.

The fourth courtyard: the worship hall

Best Times to Visit the Great Mosque

The Great Mosque is open for visitors year-round. I recommend visiting after 10 am and before dark each day, as this will give you the best opportunity to take great photos and enjoy exploring Huajue Lane and Muslim Street. If you arrive too early, many of the shops and restaurants are closed.

Our guests visiting the Great Mosque

What to Do around the Great Mosque

Huajue Lane

Huajue Lane is the essential route to the Great Mosque. After visiting the mosque, if you want some free time for strolling or buying little gifts, it is usually the most choice (more than 95% of visitors find the area very intriguing). Don't forget to bargain with the shop owners!

Muslim Street

Muslim Street

It's just 100 meters from the mosque to Muslim Street, where you can find a variety of specialty foods from Xi'an, including delicious lamb skewers, roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers), and liangpi (cold noodles).

Here's a food tip: don't wait in line for food! Many people think that the longest lines indicate the best places, but that's not always true. I recommend a local restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Xi'an roujiamo with liangpi, as well as the best stir-fried yogurt ice cream.

Challenge yourself to take a food adventure in our 3-Day Essence of Xi'an Tour.

Bell Tower

Night view of the Bell Tower

Bell Tower is 300 meters from the Great Mosque. If you have more time, consider visiting the Bell Tower to gain a deeper understanding of the layout of Xi'an city.

Explore more ancient buildings in Xi'an in our 4-Day Xi'an Ancient Relics Tour.

Gaojiadayuan

Shadow puppet show

It's 100 meters from the Great Mosque and is an official residence from the Qing Dynasty. The story of Mr. Gao's family reflects the culture of feudal society in China. Here, you can watch a shadow puppet show, which is considered one of the oldest forms of entertainment in China.

Performances usually take place every hour, so it's a good idea to confirm the schedule when buying tickets and choose the appropriate venue to watch (your guide can assist you with that).

How to Get to the Great Mosque

The Great Mosque is located in the city center, close to the Bell Tower.

Due to heavy traffic in the area, cars can only park nearby, requiring a 15- to 20-minute walk to reach the Great Mosque. For larger tour groups, buses must park further away, necessitating a 20- to 30-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take a public bus or subway to the Bell Tower and then walk for 10 to 20 minutes to get there.

11-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Guilin/Yangshuo-Shanghai private tour plan Family Happiness

Things Not to Do When Visiting the Great Mosque

As this is a religious venue, women are not allowed to wear camisoles, vests, shorts, or skirts. If you are not Muslim, please do not attempt to enter the prayer hall and other areas that are not open to the public.