Qingjing Temple

The Qingjing Temple was founded in the Northern Song Dynasty, and then rebuilt by Ahmed of Iran in AD 1309. The temple was built in the form of an Islamic chapel in Damascus, Syria. The present Qingjing Mosque is in ruins, but the outline of the towering Arabian gatehouse remains. The main existing buildings are the Gate Building, the Temple of Fengtian and the Mingshan Hall. It is the oldest existing Islamic temple built by Arab Muslims in China. The exterior of the gate building is in the traditional Arabic Islamic architectural style. On the west side of the temple gate is the Temple of Fengtian, also known as the Temple of Worship, where the original Muslims worshipped. The roof of the altar collapsed in the Ming Dynasty, and now only the surrounding stone walls remain. In the middle of the west wall is a tall niche in the shape of an arch, in which the verses of the Koran in ancient Arabic are engraved, which are well preserved. On both sides of the altar, there are 6 pointed arches and treasure cover-shaped stone niches, all of which are embossed with Arabic. "Mingshan Hall" is located in the north of the Temple of Fengtian, where the scriptures are now taught. "Mingshan Hall" has been repaired and collapsed repeatedly. The existing building was rebuilt in modern times. It is said that the well-carved lotus incense burner in Song Dynasty in front of the hall was originally in the "Fengtian Temple". Later, the "Fengtian Temple" could not shelter from the wind and rain, so the believers changed to "Mingshan Hall" to worship, and this incense burner was also moved to "Mingshan Hall". The Qingjing Temple is a historical witness of the friendly exchanges and cultural exchanges between my country and the people of Arab countries, and is also an important historical site of Quanzhou's overseas transportation. This place can be regarded as a symbol of Quanzhou, representing the history of Quanzhou, so you may wish to take a look when you come to Quanzhou.