Manluanhui Mosque in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna
Introduction of Manluanhui Mosque
Chinese Name: 曼峦回村清真寺
English Name: Manluanhui Mosque in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna
West Shuangbanna Menghai County Mansaihui villagers group
Xishuangbanna Manluanhui Mosque in Menghai County travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Manluanhui Mosque in Xishuangbanna.
Manluan Hui Village Mosque stands tall amidst Dai ethnic villages where residents adopt Dai names, wear Dai attire, and speak Dai language. Yet, they practice Islam—men wear white caps, women veil themselves. This unique community, known locally as “Paxidai” or “Huídai,” is a fascinating blend of Dai and Hui cultures in Manluan Village, Menghai Town, Menghai County.
Cultural Fusion and Architecture
Manluan Hui Village, along with neighboring Mansai Hui Village, forms two distinctive “Huídai” settlements in Menghai County. Entry into Manluan Hui Village requires crossing the “Golden Silver Bridge.” This bridge features unique gates: one end labeled “Golden Bridge” in typical Dai style, and the other labeled “Silver Bridge” adorned with the crescent moon symbol of Islam. Beyond the Silver Bridge, the striking Arabesque architecture of Manluan Hui Mosque comes into view, surrounded by Hui-Dai households. Historical records indicate the mosque was first built during the Qing Dynasty (between the 10th and 20th years of Daoguang), reconstructed in 1943, destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, and rebuilt in 1983, with renovations completed in 1994. The mosque’s main hall is spacious with two floors, accompanied by a five-story crescent moon-shaped minaret. It offers complete facilities for worship.
Lifestyle and Economic Activities
The village’s housing has transitioned from traditional stilted Dai structures to modern two-story reinforced concrete buildings, reflecting the community’s evolving lifestyle. Villagers maintain dual identities with both Dai and Hui names. According to preserved records of Paxidai traditions, in the Dai calendar year 1188 (1862 AD), Dali Hui merchants Ma Ge Tou, Ma Hai Qing, and Ma Qing Long transported salt to Manjiang, where they settled in Menghai upon the invitation of Dai leaders. The union of Ma Ge Tou and Dai leader’s daughter Yu Wenma resulted in offspring who adhered to Islamic teachings. Visitors discover a community that combines Dai customs—language, naming, attire, and intermarriage—with Islamic practices such as observing Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and following Islamic dietary laws.
Economic Development
Historically, the Huídai villagers have relied on local resources, cultivating rice, tea, sugarcane, and engaging in trade, benefiting from traditional caravan routes. Presently, they diversify economic activities by establishing tea processing factories, livestock markets, and operating “Eight Kilometer” barbecue stalls, enhancing their prosperity. The village’s transport fleet, named “Manluan Hui Caravan,” established in 2006, provides local and intercity bus services, enhancing connectivity for villagers and industrial workers in Menghai. The “Eight Kilometer” barbecue area, known for its halal barbecue, hosts over ten stalls where Paxidai residents and nearby Dai communities have operated for years, attracting regular customers.
Local Stories and Cultural Integration
Stories like that of Ma Liyan, whose husband from Ningxia, operates a tea business between Xishuangbanna and Ningxia, highlight the community’s dynamic interactions and economic contributions. Likewise, the successful ventures of Yuxiangnen, managing a halal restaurant alongside her Han Chinese husband in Menghai, underscore the village’s cultural and economic vibrancy. Elderly residents like Ma Yaosheng, in his 70s, have built spacious two-story homes, reflecting the community’s prosperity and familial stability.
Tourism Tips for Muslim Visitors
For Muslim travelers visiting Manluan Hui Village, respect local customs and practices:
- Dress Code: Dress modestly with women covering their heads and men wearing appropriate attire, respecting Islamic guidelines.
- Prayer: The Manluan Hui Mosque welcomes visitors for prayers and offers insights into local Islamic practices.
- Dietary Needs: Seek out halal food options available in the village, particularly at local restaurants and stalls.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Embrace the unique blend of Dai and Hui cultures while understanding the community’s historical journey and traditions.
Visiting Manluan Hui Village offers a rare opportunity to witness the harmonious coexistence of Dai and Hui cultures, shaped by centuries of shared history and mutual respect.
