Najiaying Mosque in Tonghai County, Yuxi

Najia Camp Mosque (纳家营清真寺) is located at No. 76 Wenhua Road, Nagu Town (纳古镇), Tonghai County (通海县), Yuxi City (玉溪市), Yunnan Province (云南省). It is one of the ancient Islamic mosques in China. According to legend, it was established in the late 13th century under the supervision of Nasr al-Din (纳速拉丁), who served as the Minister of Political Affairs of the Yunnan Province under the Yuan dynasty. Built along the mountain slope, the mosque is laid out across five levels and covers a total construction area of approximately 10,000 square meters. It serves as the center of religious and educational activities for the Muslim community in Nagu (纳古).

  • Religion: Islam
  • Address: No. 76 Wenhua Road, Nagu Town (纳古镇), Tonghai County (通海县), Yuxi City (玉溪市), Yunnan Province (云南省)
  • Function: Religious and educational center for Nagu Muslims

Historical Background

According to tradition, the mosque was first established in the late 13th century under the guidance of Nasr al-Din (纳速拉丁), then a high-ranking official of the Yunnan province during the Yuan dynasty.

It underwent expansion during the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty.

Nearby Attractions

Sansheng Palace in Tonghai County, Yuxi
Hexi Confucius Temple in Tonghai County
Xiushan Mountain Park in Tonghai County
The Last Mongols in Yunnan
Xiahuicun Mosque

Architectural Scale

Overall Layout

The entire mosque complex spans approximately 10,000 square meters. The prayer hall alone covers about 1,200 square meters and was built in three phases.

  • Front Hall: Around 210 square meters, with five gate pillars and 24 doors.
  • Middle Hall: Built with reinforced concrete and expanded in 1975, adding about 200 square meters.
  • Rear Hall: Constructed with donations from local Muslims in 1984. It is a flat-roofed hall with two upper floors and one base level, covering 808 square meters.
  • Capacity: The three connected halls can accommodate over 1,700 people for congregational prayer.
  • Additional Facilities: Side rooms serve as classrooms and student dormitories.

Architectural Features

Due to the mosque’s construction along the mountain slope, it is organized into five distinct levels:

  1. First Level: A stone arch gate with a marble plaque inscribed with the Chinese characters “清真寺” (Mosque).
  2. Second Level: Comprises three two-story buildings known as the “Second Heaven Tower” (二天楼), with a wooden plaque inscribed “维天之命” (“By the Will of Heaven”). Behind the tower is a courtyard with seven side rooms on each side. Opposite stands the Bangke Tower, topped with a cross-hipped roof and hexagonal flying eaves.
  3. Third Level: A small moon platform with two date palm trees, a fish pond, and five side rooms on each side.
  4. Fourth Level: The main prayer hall, fronted by a courtyard with towering ancient cypress trees and flowering shrubs.
  5. Fifth Level: A large moon platform in front of the hall.

Religious and Educational Role

The mosque serves as both a religious worship center and an educational institution for the Muslim population of Nagu (纳古).

Location and Accessibility

Najia Camp Mosque (纳家营清真寺) is located at No. 76 Wenhua Road, Nagu Town (纳古镇), Tonghai County (通海县), Yuxi City (玉溪市), Yunnan Province (云南省), China.