Niujie Mosque

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.