Kuqa Grand Mosque (库车大寺) is Xinjiang’s second-largest mosque and a national key cultural relic, located in the old city of Kuqa, Aksu.
Basic Information
Location: Pakhta Bazaar Road, Kuqa Old City (4 km from Kuqa New Town).
Founded: 16th century (by Ishaq Wali, leader of the Black Mountain faction of Islam).
Rebuilt: 1931–1934 (after fires; current structure).
Style: Blend of Islamic, Uyghur, and Qiuci architectural elements.
Status:
2013: 7th Batch National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.
Nickname: Xinjiang’s second-largest mosque (after Kashgar’s Id Kah Mosque).
Key Features
Gate Tower: 18.3 m high, blue brick construction with Islamic carvings.
Minaret: 28 m high (city views by permission).
Prayer Hall: 1,500 m², holds 3,000 worshippers; 64 hexagonal pillars support a 102-panel decorated ceiling.
Dome: 16 m diameter, wooden (no nails); green glazed tiles.
Unique Relic: Xinjiang’s only well-preserved Islamic religious court (with trial rooms, manuscripts, and seals).
Visiting Tips
Hours: 10:00–19:30 (closed during prayer times).
Ticket: ~CNY 15 (half price for students/children).
Best Time: May–October (pleasant weather).
Combine: Pair with Kuqa Royal Palace and Subashi Temple Ruins for a full Qiuci culture day.
