Experience Muslim Culture in China's Mecca

The Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern China's Gansu Province has a population of 1.69 million. Over half of the total population are Muslims. Seventy-five percent of the Linxia citizens practice Islam. For about 200 years, Linxia has been eulogized as the "Small Mecca of China" because it is the Muslim educational center in northwestern China. There are 22 different ethnic groups living in Linxia, most being either Han Chinese or Hui. Local culture and Muslim folklore have made Linxia a bright pearl on the old Silk Road.

"Small Mecca" of China

Linxia, 160 kilometers south of Lanzhou, provincial capital of Gansu, is one of first areas in China to be influenced by Islam. Islam cultural influences can be traced back nearly 1,000 years. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Linxia was an important city on the Silk Road. Numerous merchants from Arabic countries and Persia traveled through Linxia for business, and many settled down in the area.

More than 600 years ago, during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), troops sent by the Yuan court on the West Expedition captured Muslim soldiers from central and west Asia. These captured soldiers finally settled down in northwestern China. Overnight, the Muslim population in Linxia increased greatly. Later, the Qing court sent troops to suppress the Hui people in their struggle against Qing oppression. This enabled many Hui people in Shaanxi and Ningxia move to neighboring Gansu Province. Linxia, then called Hezhou, became a shelter for the Muslims. From Linxia, Islamic influence grew stronger and spread far and wide throughout China. Linxia now serves as a center of Islam in Northwest China.

World of Mosques

Linxia is noted for its many mosques. Mosques are found everywhere - on plains, mountains and in river valleys. Sources indicate that there are more than 1,700 mosques scattered over the prefecture's 800,000-square-kilometer land.

Architectural design of mosques falls into two categories. One is of Arabic style with a dome roof propped up by corridor pillars, and the other is typical Chinese style, featuring upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters. But whether they are Arabic or Chinese style, all the mosques have a number of vases piled up on top of one another and a new moon, the symbol of Islam.

Nanguan Mosque, constructed during the Yuan Dynasty, is the most famous in Linxia City. After its reconstruction in 1979, the mosque took up an area of 2,180 square meters. It is a good combination of traditional Chinese architectural arts with Arabic architectural style. Scripture lectures in Arabic are given in rooms in a three-story building in the mosque. The listeners are young people from Gansu and Qinghai provinces and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The attendants to religious services are Muslims from the vicinity. On holidays such as the Festival of Fast Breaking and Corban Festival, Muslims in nearby townships converge at the mosque to attend the grand service. Very often, the number of attendants is over 10,000.

Unique Local Delicacies

Muslims are particular about their food because of religious doctrines and rules. They have a special liking of mutton and staple foods made from wheat flour.

Among numerous local delicacies popular in Linxia, niangpizi is most famous. Made with wheat flour, it tastes delicious when put in a sauce of garlic, salt, mustard, vinegar, pepper oil and sesame paste.

The niangpizi used in all restaurants catering to muslin customers in Lanzhou are delivered from Linxia each day early in the morning. The Wang Family Niangpizi Restaurant at 59 Xichenghao, Linxia, is noted for the best quality niangpizi. Located in a quiet lane, the restaurant is always full of customers. Many have to put their take-out order and enjoy themselves at home. The restaurant's owner, Wang Zhiguo, enjoys high reputation for the special flavor his family has handed down for generations. Every day, the restaurant prepares 25 kilograms, but still cannot meet demands.

Another local treat is called "bucket meat," or hand served mutton. Years ago, peddlers sold the mutton from two buckets, hence the name. The most noted restaurant in making the bucket meat is on North Street in Linxia. The meat is tender and tastes extremely good not only because the restaurant uses only 10-kg lamb meat, but also because it is cooked in a wonderful broth.

Local people are also fond of Wang Family rice wine, sliced beef noodle soup, and flavor bread inserted with local condiments.