Tupang Mosque in Eryuan County, Dali

Tu Pang Village Mosque is located in the northwest of You Suo Town, Eryuan County, Yunnan Province, China. It is nestled against the Fuzhong Mountain and faces the Green Jade Pond. The mosque features ancient-style architecture with Jianchuan woodcarving lattice doors on the east side.

Historical Background

Tu Pang Hui Village was established during the Ming Hongwu period. Initially named “Sipang Village” due to its location between the Zhongling Temple and West Mountain Temple, it later changed to “Shi Pang Village” due to its prominent scholars and religious leaders. The original ancient mosque in the village was destroyed by Qing troops led by Zhang Zhengtai in the sixth year of the Xianfeng era (1856). The current mosque was rebuilt in the 22nd year of the Guangxu era (1896), and the Wangyue Tower was constructed in 1920. The main prayer hall features suspended roof architecture.

Cultural Significance

The mosque houses historical artifacts such as the “Preface to the Reconstruction of Tu Pang Village Mosque” and the “Inscription of the Creation of Dengming Tower”. Annually, the village observes several major religious festivals and commemorates two days of remembrance: the massacre by Qing troops on the 18th day of the eighth lunar month in the sixth year of Xianfeng, and the failure of the Dali anti-Qing government on the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month in the eleventh year of Tongzhi.

Community and Facilities

Tu Pang Village Mosque covers an area of approximately 1,000 square meters, with a total construction area of 2,500 square meters. It serves 376 households and 1,820 people, all belonging to the Hui ethnic group and following the Gedimu sect of Islam. In 1997, Tu Pang Village Mosque was recognized as a model mosque at the prefectural level, and in 2004, it received the provincial-level model mosque designation.

Architectural Features

The mosque’s roof adopts ancient-style architecture with Jianchuan woodcarving lattice doors on the east side. These doors are intricately carved with seasonal flora and fauna patterns, highlighted with colorful paintings. On the second floor, there are three large green domes, designed in emulation of the architecture of the Medina Mosque, adorned with silver crescents and stars. The minaret (Exan Tower) rises to four floors, with the first and second floors in hexagonal pavilion style, each corner featuring flying dragons and the spire adorned with four interconnected gourds. Atop the roof ridge are mythical creatures and running golden rabbits.

Transportation

Tu Pang Village Mosque stands as a significant cultural and religious landmark, embodying the rich heritage and architectural prowess of the Hui Muslim community in Yunnan Province.