Id Kah Mosque


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The iconic yellow tiles of Kashgar's Id Kah Mosque have been a travel destination for centuries. Id Kah Mosque, also spelled as “Eid Kah” or ” Aitiga’er in Chinese” means in Uyghur language, “place for festival”. It  is the biggest mosque in the region and in China. It is also the center of Islamic activities for people in Kashgar and surrounding cities. For many Uyghur in the villages surrounding Kashgar, it is a spiritual journey. For most of us, it is a curious monument of ancient Uyghur culture in the middle of a quickly modernizing city. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.

History

The land on which the Id Kah mosque is built was originally used as a cemetery as early as 996 AD. Some history connects the mosque to older structures that dotted this plot of land, it’s a tentative connection at best.

The familiar mosque face we easily recognize today only dates back to the early 19th century. The Id Kah Mosque was officially built in 1442. At that time it was a simple prayer hall by the ruler of Kashgar at the time, Saqsiz Mirza, for the purpose of saying prayers for the souls of his deceased relatives.

The true heart of Kashgar lies not in the People’s Square, a space guarded by China’s second largest Mao ZeDong statue. No, the true heart of this beautiful city is  in the square and alleyways that fall under the shadow of the yellow-bricked Id Kah Mosque.

The entire mosque covers an area of 16,800 sq. meters, making it the largest mosque by land area in China (there is another mosque in Qinghai whose building is actually larger). Inside the Id Kah prayer halls, close to 20,000 worshipers can cram together to worship during the major Muslim festivals. During normal Friday prayers, however, that number is usually between 2,000-5,000.

For those unaware, Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the month-long religious fasting called “Ramadan”.  For the entire month a fast is supposed to be observed from sun-up to sun-down until the final day when they hold a celebration that seems to me to be as big in their culture as Christmas is in America.

People travel long distances to see family, visit friends, and in many cases to visit an important mosque. This is particularly the case where thousands of Uyghur gather to pray at the Id Kah Mosque.

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Client’s Reviews

  • immortalnomad66

    immortalnomad66

    Reviewed 10thOctober2019

    Would be better if it was an actualy mosque with people praying in it. China is just going crazy trying to conrol everything. Nothing much to see inside. I only entered an empty praying hall. 45¥ are definitely not worth spending for this. Just take...More

  • Dave h

    Dave h

    Reviewed 11thJuly2019

    Due to its proximity to the old city I decided to have a look. There’s not an awful lot inside tbh. The old city surrounding it is way more interesting and fun. The east gate has lots of bars and restaurants to visit.

  • lovetoootravel

    lovetoootravel

    Reviewed 28thJune2019

    This is the largest mosque in Xinjiang and is located in the old city of Kashgar. Very peaceful grounds

  • Mike J

    Mike J

    Reviewed 12thJune2019

    We found this place a little disappointing especially bearing in mind the high cost of the ticket. Looked just like a plain old ordinary mosque with not a lot going for it. Plenty of trees and that is about it. Unless you are really looking...More

  • 703maryt

    703maryt

    Reviewed 30thApril2019

    Since this is the largest mosque in China, I guess we were expecting something more spectacular. The gatehouse, visible from the street is architecturally more interesting than the great hall itself. You must pay an entrance fee and show your passport to get in. Women...More

  • NATHAN1909

    NATHAN1909

    Reviewed 22ndDecember2018

    it was a part of the tour, but no special striking memory, it is mainly important in order to folllow local customs traditions and their respect for their shrine

  • 3112Barbara

    3112Barbara

    Reviewed 7thNovember2018

    You pay 45 RMB to walk around a courtyard. There was no access to any part of the larger mosque (maybe it was prayer time) and no photos are to be taken. There's really nowhere in entire province of Xinjiang that you aren't are watched...More

  • Jane W

    Jane W

    Reviewed 8thOctober2018

    ...simply because it’s a cultural icon of Kashgar, and its vital Muslim community. When we visited, worshipers were inside, so we could not enter the Mosque. Even so, I was greatful to see it, since it holds a key role in Kashgar’s historic roots.

  • Peter R

    Peter R

    Reviewed 3rdOctober2018

    The only reason that we visited this place was that we were on a tour and this was on the itennary. You make up you own mind about the place.

  • Lankylee

    Lankylee

    Reviewed 9thAugust2018

    A simple historical mosque. It is within town limits but seems away from it. Architecture is not grand. Can be very busy. Lots of shops like via dela rosa and various tracks leading to religious monuments.

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