Mosque in Xundian County, Kunming

Baijiashao Mosque (百家哨清真寺) is located in Baijiashao Village (百家哨村), under the administration of the Tianshengqiao Village Committee (天生桥村委会), in Jinsuo Township (金所乡), Xundian County (寻甸县), Kunming (昆明市), Yunnan Province (云南省).

Historical Background

Baijiashao Mosque (百家哨清真寺) was first built in the 13th year of the Jiajing era during the Ming Dynasty (1534). It was established by the village head Ma Mengpeng (马孟鹏) in collaboration with local villagers. The original location was on the western side of the village, behind which a clear spring flowed more than a hundred meters away. Adjacent to this spring was Laozha Pond (老扎塘), and the mosque was supported by 6 mu (approximately 0.4 hectares) of paddy fields irrigated by the spring. Bamboo forests grew luxuriantly in front of the mosque, with surrounding distant mountains creating a tranquil and picturesque environment filled with birdsong and floral fragrance.

In the 6th year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, the mosque was destroyed by Qing soldiers. It was later relocated to the back of the village and rebuilt in the early years of the Republic of China. The rebuilt mosque featured a three-room main hall flanked by two-room side halls on the north and south. In early 1958, the mosque was demolished again. In 1979, a simple three-room prayer hall was reconstructed within the village. By 1986, the structure had been expanded with side halls, bathing rooms, and a surrounding wall. In 2003, the old building was dismantled, and a new three-story reinforced concrete mosque was constructed, featuring a green dome and a 22.8-meter-tall spire.

Architectural Significance

The facade of Baijiashao Mosque (百家哨清真寺) features three golden-bronze Chinese characters, “朝真殿” (Chaozhen Hall), which gleam in the sunlight, presenting a grand and dignified appearance. The mosque occupies 536 square meters and was constructed with a budget of around 200,000 yuan. It is now administered by a mosque committee and hosts regular religious events. A kindergarten is also operated within the mosque, serving over 20 Hui (回族) and Han (汉族) children.

Visiting Baijiashao Mosque

Muslim Travel Tips

• Visiting Hours: Confirm local regulations, as the mosque mainly functions as a religious site.
• Respectful Visits: Visitors should behave respectfully and follow appropriate dress codes or customs.
• Historical Exploration: Don’t miss the historical features of Baijiashao Mosque (百家哨清真寺), including its minarets and elegant architectural details.
• Local Culture: Take the opportunity to learn about Hui Muslim traditions in Jinsuo Township (金所乡), Xundian County (寻甸县), Yunnan Province (云南省).

Baijiashao Mosque (百家哨清真寺) continues to stand as a symbol of the enduring cultural heritage and communal spirit of Baijiashao Village (百家哨村) in Yunnan (云南省).