Phoenix Mosque

As one of China’s four great mosques and among its earliest, the Phoenix Mosque in Hangzhou offers you a fascinating glimpse into the region’s rich, multicultural history along the maritime Silk Road. Dating to the Tang or Song dynasty, this historical site blends traditional Chinese architectural styles with classic Islamic design elements. When you step inside, you will see an oldest-known east-entrance arrangement leading directly to the qibla and mihrab, set within a central octagonal domed space flanked by hexagonal domes.

Look closely at the Ming dynasty interior paintings depicting flowers, mountains, animals, and rivers, framed by symmetrical floral motifs and honeycomb plaster surfaces. The brick prayer hall, constructed in 1281 CE during Kublai Khan's rule, features an auspicious gong floor plan reminiscent of the Forbidden City and designed to resemble a phoenix spreading its wings. You can also explore a historic collection of steles detailing the mosque's past and twenty-one Yuan dynasty tombstones inscribed in stylized Arabic and Persian.

From its 1451 gilded red wood mihrab to its modern gate, visiting this site lets you appreciate centuries of vibrant cultural exchange between Chinese, Arab, and Persian communities in Hangzhou.

What to see at Phoenix Mosque

• The 1281 CE brick prayer hall featuring three domes and an I-shaped 'gong' floor plan
• Ming dynasty interior painted decorations depicting flowers, mountains, animals, and rivers
• A gilded red wood mihrab from 1451 inscribed with Quranic verses
• Twenty-one Yuan dynasty tombstones written in stylized Arabic and Persian script
• Historical steles recording ancient site details, donor networks, and former mosque names

Visiting tips

Note that Friday prayers and festival services have moved to the Hangzhou Mosque, so plan your visit around general sightseeing instead of active worship services.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Phoenix Mosque is easy to reach on Hangzhou’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Hangzhou travel guide.