Can non-Muslims visit Niujie Mosque?

Yes. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside of prayer times, and the Prayer Hall can usually be viewed then. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Entry is free, though a small donation is appreciated. It is Beijing's oldest mosque, founded in 996, and uniquely blends Chinese palace architecture with Islamic function.

Is Niujie Mosque worth a trip and what makes it special?

It's worth it for the rare Sino-Islamic architecture: gray brick walls, sloped tile roofs and painted beams outside, Arabic calligraphy and Qing-era silver-leaf wall art inside. The surrounding Niujie neighborhood is Beijing's main Hui Muslim district, so pair the mosque with halal lunch nearby for a culturally rich half-day.

What should I eat near Niujie Mosque?

Niu Street is famous for some of Beijing's best halal food. Look for hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, lamb dumplings, and Beijing-Hui crossover dishes. Visiting late morning then walking out for lunch is the natural rhythm. Bring cash, as many small shops and the mosque itself are cash-only.

Niujie Mosque, Beijing: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Beijing's largest and oldest mosque — Song dynasty (996), with traditional Chinese architecture serving the Hui Muslim community.

At a glance

What it is: Heritage Site
Also known as: 牛街清真寺 (Niú Jiē Qīng Zhēn Sì)
Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
Time needed: 1 hour
Best time to visit: Late morning, then lunch in Niujie hui restaurants
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Cash only
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: No public Wi-Fi
Address: 88 Niu St, Xicheng District, Beijing · 西城区牛街88号

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Niujie Mosque is the oldest mosque in Beijing, founded in 996 during the Liao dynasty by a Persian Muslim scholar. It uniquely blends traditional Chinese palace architecture (gray brick walls, sloped tile roofs, painted wooden beams) with Islamic function — pointed minarets and Arabic calligraphy live alongside Chinese-style courtyards and pavilions. The mosque serves Beijing's Hui Muslim community (one of China's 56 ethnic groups), and the surrounding Niujie neighborhood is the city's main Hui district, famous for halal restaurants, hand-pulled noodles, and lamb skewers. The Prayer Hall (currently open to non-Muslims as visitors only outside prayer times) holds beautiful Qing-era tile work and silver-leaf calligraphy. Modest dress required (covered shoulders and knees). Free entry but you'll want to give a small donation. After visiting, walk along Niu Street for halal lunch — the lamb dumpling shops and Beijing-Hui crossover dishes are excellent.

Highlights

Sino-Islamic ArchitectureChinese palace style outside, Arabic calligraphy inside — unique blend
Prayer Hall (大殿)Visitable outside prayer times; Qing-era silver-leaf wall art
996 AD FoundingBeijing's oldest mosque — predates the city's status as imperial capital
Hui Muslim LunchNiu Street has the best halal Beijing food in the city
Modest Dress RequiredShoulders and knees covered; small donation appreciated

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Go late morning so you can roll straight into halal lunch on Niu Street afterward.
▸Check prayer times before arriving; the Prayer Hall closes to visitors during worship.
▸Cover shoulders and knees and keep voices low; this is an active place of worship, not a museum.
▸The silver-leaf calligraphy inside the Prayer Hall is the detail most guides skip; look up at the beams.
▸Carry cash for both the donation box and the cash-only food stalls nearby.
▸Photograph the Sino-Chinese roofline from the courtyard rather than shooting interiors during prayer.
▸Lamb dumpling shops a short walk along Niu Street are where locals actually eat; skip the obvious tourist fronts.

Photos

The Niujie Mosque (Chinese: 牛街清真寺; pinyin: niújiē qīngzhēnsì) is the oldest mosque in Beijing, China. It was built in 996 and completely rebuilt under the Kangx

What travelers say (5 reviews)

Yusuf A.·TripAdvisor·5/5

1000+ year old mosque in classic Chinese temple style with Islamic features. The Hui Muslim community here still gathers daily.

2026-03-26

Aaliyah N.·Google Maps·4/5

Dress conservatively. Women cover hair to enter prayer hall. Friendly community — they appreciate respectful visitors.

2026-02-11

牛街老北京·Xiaohongshu·5/5

牛街周围还有清真小吃一条街！羊肉串、烤鸭、聚宝源涮锅都很正宗。

2026-04-04

Tariq M.·TripAdvisor·5/5

10 RMB entrance. The decorative ceiling of the main prayer hall (built 996 CE) is original. Quiet during non-prayer times.

2026-01-17

InterFaithTraveler·YouTube·4/5

One of the oldest mosques in China, still actively used. Powerful experience walking through during evening prayers.

2026-03-22

Videos

The largest Muslim community in Beijing, Niujie Mosque

Oldwatch Ma

Visited the ancient masjid in at niujie. Which serve the variety of authentic beijing halal food .

EatAi亦太(halalfoodie)

Frequently asked questions about Niujie Mosque

Can non-Muslims visit Niujie Mosque?: Yes. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside of prayer times, and the Prayer Hall can usually be viewed then. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Entry is free, though a small donation is appreciated. It is Beijing's oldest mosque, founded in 996, and uniquely blends Chinese palace architecture with Islamic function.
Is Niujie Mosque worth a trip and what makes it special?: It's worth it for the rare Sino-Islamic architecture: gray brick walls, sloped tile roofs and painted beams outside, Arabic calligraphy and Qing-era silver-leaf wall art inside. The surrounding Niujie neighborhood is Beijing's main Hui Muslim district, so pair the mosque with halal lunch nearby for a culturally rich half-day.
What should I eat near Niujie Mosque?: Niu Street is famous for some of Beijing's best halal food. Look for hand-pulled noodles, lamb skewers, lamb dumplings, and Beijing-Hui crossover dishes. Visiting late morning then walking out for lunch is the natural rhythm. Bring cash, as many small shops and the mosque itself are cash-only.