The Phoenix Mosque is a significant Islamic place of worship located in Hangzhou. The Hangzhou Phoenix Mosque is renowned as one of the four great mosques of China and is one of the oldest mosques in China’s coastal areas.
The origin of the Hangzhou Phoenix Mosque dates back to the Tang or Song dynasty. It was first destroyed around the end of the Song dynasty and was rebuilt in 1281 under the financial assistance of Ala al-Din, a Persian settler in China. The mosque underwent several renovations over the centuries. The existing prayer hall was built in the year of 1281 during the rule of Kublai Khan. The structure of the main building is heavily influenced by traditional Chinese Architecture while also retaining features of Islamic Architecture. The mosque is known for its unique three-domed structure.
• AKA: Phoenix Masjid
• Name in Chinese: 凤凰寺
• Chinese Pinyin: FèngHuáng Sì
• Date Established: Tang Dynasty (618-907) or Song Dynasty (960 -1279)
• Location: Station 227, Zhongshan Road (Mid), District de Shangcheng, Hangzhou
• Visiting Time: 15 – 30 Minutes
The roots of Phoenix Mosque trace back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), making it one of China’s oldest mosques. It was unfortunately destroyed by fire towards the end of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Cependant, in 1281, during Kublai Khan’s reign, the Phoenix Mosque was rebuilt on its original site with financial support from Ala al-Din. This was to accommodate the growing Muslim population, primarily Persian-speaking Muslims who migrated to Hangzhou. During the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, Hangzhou was known as Quinsai or Khansai. The existing prayer hall of the Phoenix Mosque was constructed during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368).
De 1451 à 1493, the Phoenix Mosque underwent repair and expansion. This restoration led to the creation of the current mihrab of the mosque, crafted from gilded red wood and inscribed with verses from the Qur’an. This renovation during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) resulted in the formation of the current complex of the Phoenix Mosque. Dans 1953, the Phoenix Mosque underwent comprehensive maintenance and repair, and the current gate with two minaret-like towers was added. Dans 2009, a replica of a Persian-style building was recreated within the mosque.
The Phoenix Mosque is uniquely designed with an east-facing entrance directly leading to the qibla and mihrab, making it the oldest mosque known for this layout. The qibla area features a central octagonal dome flanked by two hexagonal domes adorned with Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) paintings depicting flowers, mountains, animals, and rivers in symmetrical floral motifs.
Transitioning into the prayer hall, the domes are decorated with honeycomb and tiered plaster designs resembling muqarnas in Islamic architecture. The brick construction of the prayer hall stands as the mosque’s oldest surviving structure. Moreover, the fusion of Chinese and Islamic architectural styles is evident through the use of corner bracketing typical of Chinese temples and a row of three domes.
Visiting the mosque offers a profound opportunity to delve into its design, reflecting a rich history and cultural exchange, providing an enriching experience for all who explore its architectural beauty.
Hangzhou Phoenix Mosque has a collection of steles from ancient times. These steles provide evidence about the mosque’s historical location and also mention other nearby places of worship, including a Uighur mosque and a Nestorian church. The steles reveal that the mosque has been known by many names throughout history before it was given its current name. They also document that the mosque was originally constructed during the Tang dynasty but was destroyed by fire at the end of the Song dynasty.
In addition to the steles, the Hangzhou Phoenix Mosque also houses twenty-one tombstones from the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). These tombstones, retrieved from a Muslim cemetery near the West Lake, are inscribed in stylized Arabic and Persian. They record the deaths of various military and religious figures, as well as merchants. Interestingly, some of the tombstones include dates in not just the Islamic calendar, but also the Turkish calendar and the Chinese lunar calendar. This reflects the multicultural and cosmopolitan nature of Mongol rule in Hangzhou.
• Frais d'entrée: Gratuit.
• Heures d'ouverture: Daily, Fajr to Isha (Muslims); 8:00 – 19:00 (general public).
• By Bus: Take bus 71 to Yongjin Overpass Station.
• By Subway: Take subway line 1 to Ding’an Road Station.
