"Id Kah" means "a place of praying and celebrating in festivals." Id Kah Mosque is the largest mosque in China, covering 16,800 square meters. The mosque was built in 1442 and is located in the central square of Kashgar.
The mosque is supported by 104 wooden columns and features colored caisson patterns and Koranic inscriptions on its walls. It is the largest mosque in East Xinjiang in terms of size.
Walking till the end of the Kashgar Old Town, you'll be able to see the iconic yellow tower mosque built in 1442. The mosque itself is painted brightly with a large entrance dominating the front and leaf trees tucked under. Inside, we walked along cleanly painted corridors and through lovely shaded courtyards, giving us the sense of being in another world.
It was once a cemetery, the Id Kah Mosque consists of a courtyard, a hall of prayer, a gate tower, and other structures.
Muslims worship five times a day. There are usually 2,000 or 3,000 Muslims worshipping here, and during festivals, as many as 20,000 to 30,000.
There are some religious customs that you should pay attention to. Never stand in front of a Muslim when they worship, because they are facing the direction of the holy city of Mecca in the west.
Tips:
Entrance fee: 45 RMB
Opening time: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (The mosque closes during worship time.)
Transportation: Buses No. 2, 7, 8, 13, 22 and 28
