The Great Mosque of Xi'an .was originally built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In appearance, this mosque differs in the style of Arabic mosques with the golden domes and high-rise minarets. The Mosque was built using Chinese traditional designs and styles including the painted beams, engraved ridgepoles, and landscaped gardens. The mosque occupies an area of 250 meters long and 47 meters wide (820 feet by 155 feet) that has been divided into four courtyards. Now inside, you will view Chinese historical and cultural Islamic relics from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties in the courtyards, pavilions, and halls.

　　Of the mosques in Xi'an, the Great Mosque is the largest and a major location for religious activities of the over 60,000 Muslims in Xi'an. In the forth courtyard, dating from the Ming Dynasty, stands the large Prayer Hall with a triple roof of turquoise tiles. It can hold 1000 Muslims attending prayer services that are held five times everyday respectively at dawn, noon, afternoon, dusk and night.

　　The Great Mosque of Xi'an is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Non-Muslims, however, are not admitted to the main prayer hall or during times of prayer