Fairy Crane Mosque

The Fairy Crane Mosque is one of the four famous old mosques in China (the others are Huaisheng Mosque in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, Fenghuang Mosque in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province and Qingjing Mosque in Quanzhou, Fujian Province). It was first built in 1275 to serve the needs of the Arab traders and was rebuilt twice in the Ming Dynasty. Its ancient pine and gingko trees are believed to be around 800 years old. The mosque is supposed to resemble a crane in shape: the main entrance is the head; the wells on either side, the eyes; the left-hand path, the neck; the prayet hall, the body; the north and south halls, the wings. Arabic scrolls executed in Chinese calligraphic style hang in one of the halls. There are some 3,600 Muslims in Yangzhou, but the congregation at Friday prayers is less than 50. To see this mosque on Wenhu Road, first check with your guide or China International Travel Service (CITS) whether permission has to be obtained in advance. Normally neither the mosque nor Puhaddin’s tomb is open to the public, but wangle a visit if you can