Dahuicun Mosque in Tonghai County, Yuxi

Dahuicun Mosque (大回村清真寺) is located 21 kilometers northwest of Tonghai County (通海县) in Yunnan Province (云南省). It was originally built during the Ming Dynasty (明代) and has undergone several reconstructions over the years, with the most recent major reconstruction in 1946. The mosque now covers an area of 52 mu (approximately 3.47 hectares), with a total building area of 2,320 square meters. Three large plaques hang over the central entrance, enhancing the mosque’s solemn and majestic presence, as well as its elegant, classical charm.

Historical Development

Initial Construction

Dahuicun Mosque (大回村清真寺) was first established during the Ming Dynasty (明代).

Renovation and Reconstruction

The mosque was later rebuilt as a two-story structure covering 600 square meters. Due to the small space and a growing population, three main halls were constructed in March of the ninth year of the Daoguang reign (1829). In 1946, it was further expanded to its current scale under the leadership of local Muslims Ma Zhenghe (马政和) and Ma Zhonghua (马重华).

Architecture and Scale

Mosque Size

The mosque previously had a 200-square-meter hall that was destroyed by fire during wartime. Currently, it occupies 52 mu with a building area of 2,320 square meters. The prayer hall alone measures 310 square meters. The complex includes the main prayer hall, north and south wing rooms, a kitchen, and a water room.

Architectural Style

Dahuicun Mosque (大回村清真寺) features a timber-frame structure in the style of traditional Chinese palatial architecture.

Religious Activities and Community

The mosque currently has 3 education directors (学董), 15 imams (阿訇), and 25 mullahs (满拉). It serves 285 Hui (回族) households, totaling 1,156 individuals, all of whom follow the Jahriyya (哲赫忍耶) order. The mosque holds more than 30 volumes of Arabic religious texts.

Location and Transportation

Dahuicun Mosque (大回村清真寺) is situated 21 kilometers northwest of Tonghai County (通海县), Yunnan Province (云南省).