Huaishen Mosque
55 Guangta Lu, Guangzhou, China
Description:
Built more than 1,300 years ago, Huaisheng Mosque is not only the oldest mosque in Guangzhou and one of the four most famous mosques in China, but also one of the oldest Muslim temples in the world.
Also known as the Lion Mosque, it was built during the Tang and Song dynasties. Its construction was due to the fact that Guangzhou was the largest trading port, where a large number of merchants from Arab countries came.
Its complex covers 3.000 square meters and includes 6 buildings: Imam Hall, Vanue attic, gallery, manuscript repository, Tower of Light and pavilion of stone steles. The mosque was built in honor of the Prophet Muhammad and is made in the traditional Chinese style of the period. Only the minaret has an oriental shape.