Dawu Maolin Mosque in Weishan County, Dali

Dawang Maolin Mosque (大五茂林清真寺) is located in Dawang Maolin (大王茂林), Yongjian Township (永建乡), Weishan County (巍山县), Yunnan Province (云南省). The exact founding date of the mosque is unknown. It consists of traditional wooden courtyard-style buildings and occupies approximately 5 mu (亩), with a total built area of 3,781 square meters. The mosque features a two-story main prayer hall with a double-eaved hip roof and a minaret with a four-cornered spire, covering 469 square meters.

• Chinese Name: 巍山县大五茂林清真寺
• Current Imam: Ma Zhiyi (马志义)
• Muslim Households: 140
• Total Population: Over 800
• Postal Code: 672401
• Current School Supervisor: Ma Songlin (马松林)

Historical Development

The original construction date of the mosque is unknown. It was rebuilt in 1911 and expanded in 1979. The minaret was constructed in 1988.

Scale and Structure

Mosque Size

The mosque complex is made up of traditional wooden buildings used as classrooms and dormitories. The site extends from east to west, descending in elevation, covering about 5 mu (亩) with a total floor area of 3,781 square meters.

Key Structures

The main prayer hall features a double-eaved hip roof and is built on two levels, with a floor area of 1,120 square meters. The minaret has a four-cornered spire and covers 469 square meters.

Communication and Cooperation

There are 140 Muslim households with over 800 people, all of whom are Hui (回族), affiliated with the Gediguo (格迪国) tradition. The village has a long history of Islamic education and has produced over 60 ahong (阿訇) and 5 hajis (哈吉). The mosque also houses the “Yan Zhen Arabic School” (研真阿文学校), founded by Imam Ma Yuanshan (马元善), with 52 manlas (满拉), and includes the affiliated “Weishan Islamic Cultural College” (巍山伊斯兰文化专科学校).

Location and Transportation

The mosque is located in Dawang Maolin (大王茂林), Yongjian Township (永建乡), Weishan County (巍山县), Yunnan Province (云南省). Dawang Maolin sits at the northeastern edge of Yongjian Basin (永建坝子) and is named for its position near the convergence of five ridgelines in the east. The Guanwei Highway (关巍公路) passes through the village.