The mosque was founded in 1442 and has been extended repeatedly, reaching its present scale in the nineteenth century. It is the principal place of worship for the Muslim community of Kashgar and one of the most important mosques in the country, with a capacity of several thousand in the main prayer hall and courtyard.
The building
The facade is dominated by a central domed entrance with a tall arched iwan, flanked by two symmetrical wings, all in pale yellow tile and brick. Behind the entrance is a long courtyard planted with poplars and roses, with a pool for ablutions and rows of rooms for study and accommodation. The main prayer hall is a timber-columned space with a carved and painted ceiling, and it holds a small collection of religious texts and objects. The oldest part of the structure dates from the fifteenth century; much of what is visible is nineteenth and twentieth century.
The plaza
Outside the gates, the plaza is the social heart of old Kashgar. In the evening it fills with families, food stalls, kite sellers and men playing music, and the mosque facade is lit. On Fridays the crowd for the main prayer is very large, and the surrounding streets are busy all morning.
Visiting notes
Non-Muslim visitors are generally admitted outside prayer times, with an admission fee and a modest dress code: shoulders and knees covered, and women asked to cover their heads, with scarves usually available at the gate. Photography is generally permitted in the courtyard but not inside the prayer hall, and not of people praying. The schedule changes on Fridays and during festivals, so check locally. Allow about forty-five minutes, and stay for the evening plaza.
