The prayer hall
Under its rolled roof.
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Kaifeng's best-known mosque and the first of its thirteen historic mosques, once called «Henan's first mosque»; it stands in Shunhe district, named after the Hui Muslims, who have lived in the city since the late Tang and grew in number after the Song and Yuan dynasties. The mosque was rebuilt by imperial order in 1407 under the Ming, destroyed by Yellow River floods and rebuilt again under the Qing, from which its present buildings date, and it became a national protected monument in 2006. It is laid out in three courtyards in a row with a screen wall, gates, galleries, a prayer hall under a rolled roof, a lecture hall and an ablution house, and opposite it stands a women's mosque, a known tradition among Henan's Muslims. Visiting is free from 7 am to 6 pm with last entry at 5 pm, per visitor guides. Modest dress is expected, women are advised to cover their hair, and visits are best kept outside prayer times. A street of halal eateries runs in front of its gate.
Under its rolled roof.
Across the way.
Outside the gate.
7 Qingping Street, Shunhe Hui District, Kaifeng
The street in front of the mosque serves halal Hui Muslim food such as stewed beef and lamb, noodles and pastries, making it one of the easiest places for halal food in the city.
