Id Kah
Mosque
 The
Id Kah Emin also known as the Id Kah Mosque
(Aitigaer Qingzhensi) is the largest mosque
in China and the religious center of Kashgar.
The call to Prayer booming from the mosque
can be heard throughout the city center.
This is a rare thing in Socialist China.
The ornate structure of today (renovated
and expanded) is based on the original mosque
which was built in 1442 for Shakesirmirzha,
the ruler of Kashgar. The mosque, constructed
of yellow brick, is easily recognizable
from its dominant spot on the west side
of Id Kah Square.
As long as it is not prayer
time or religious holidays, tourists are
allowed into the mosque. When you visit
mosques, you should always remember that
both men and women should always have their
arms and legs fully covered. The best time
to visit is probably early to mid-morning
when there are few worshippers here.
As the center of religious activity
in Kashgar, the area is typically full of
pilgrims who have come to worship at the
mosque. Sometimes, these pilgrims have religious
activities right outside the temple, where
they whip themselves into a frenzied dance
accompanied by musicians playing from balconies
of the Id Kah mosque.
The Grand Bazaar of Kashgar
can be found by walking in a southwesterly
direction from Id Kah Square. Other markets
are also in the surrounding streets, such
as a carpet market and a hat market. See
our shopping overview for more.
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