"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 in Kashgar.
There are 104 wooden columns supporting the roof of mosque, and on the walls of four sides, colored caisson patterns were painted and the lections of Koran were also written. In terms of size, this mosque is the biggest one in Eastern Xinjiang.
Walking till the end of the old city, 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
