Niujie Mosque Mosque

Address: Niujie, Xicheng District, Beijing, China

Hours: Daily 9:00am-5:00pm (times may vary during religious holidays)

Admission: Free admission for casual visitors; donations or guided‑tour fees may apply for certain visits or events.

Niujie Mosque is the oldest mosque in Beijing, located in the Niujie neighbourhood of Xicheng District and serving the city’s Hui Muslim community. The mosque traces its foundation to the late 10th century and survives today as a complex of courtyards, prayer halls and ancillary buildings.

Architecturally the mosque blends traditional Chinese courtyard and roof forms with Islamic functional layouts for prayer and community use, featuring decorated halls, a main prayer space and gated entrances. The complex has been rebuilt and expanded across multiple dynastic periods, preserving both religious function and local architectural styles.

Niujie sits within the historic Niujie neighbourhood in central Beijing, an area long associated with Muslim residents and businesses.

• Founding date: Founded in 996, it is the oldest and one of the largest mosques in Beijing and remains a focal point for the city’s Hui Muslim community.

Niujie is in the Xicheng District, south of the city centre. Take Beijing Metro Line 4 to Niujie Station or Line 2 and transfer to a nearby bus; the mosque is walkable from several central routes.

• Visit outside Friday prayer times if the intention is to observe architecture rather than worship.
• Look for the intricate wooden mihrab and the carved beams-some date back to the Liao and Jin dynasties.
• Respect architectural sensitivities: remove shoes when entering the main prayer hall if required and follow local guidance.