WALK TO HUALIN PING HUI MUSLIM AREA

WALK TO HUALIN PING HUI MUSLIM AREA 06/08/2009

To get started, open this map of the walk.

There are two good starting points for this walk:

Option 1: Head east from the West Bus Station (西车站 Xī Chēzhàn), then south at the big flyover (road G212 on the map). You’ll go first under a railway bridge (shared taxis for Linxia start here), and then reach a railway level crossing, passing 4 or 5 mosques along the way.

Walking south from the West Bus Station

Shangxi Yuan Mosque - Near the railway level crossing

Option 2: Look out for the tall, green minaret of Xiaoxihu Mosque (小西湖清真大寺 Xiǎoxīhú Qíngzhēn Dàsì) on the main road, which runs east-west along the south edge of Xihu Park (西湖公园 Xīhú Gōngyuán). Head south through Baishu Xiang Alley (柏树巷 Bǎishù Xiàng, Lit. ‘Cypress Alley’), past the impressive Baishu Xiang Mosque (柏树巷清真大寺 Bǎishù Xiàng Qíngzhēn Dàsì). After going through the railway underpass you can go left, right, or straight on. Use the map (or download here) and take one of the options that leads you to the railway level crossing near Gonglin Lu.

Xiaoxihu Mosque, with Baishu Xiang Mosque in the distance

Baishu Xiang Mosque

Butchers, Baishu Xiang Alley

Chicken seller, Baishu Xiang Alley

Baishu Xiang Alley

At the level crossing: Cross over the railway line, then turn left (east) and walk up Gōnglín Lù (工林路). This is the heart of Huálín Píng (华林坪), with several more mosques, outdoor markets and small restaurants. At the top of the hill, you can turn left (north), back over the railway line, and follow the road back down to the city (see map).

Ling Ming Tang Mosque (灵明堂拱北 Língmíngtáng Gǒngběi) is a couple of km to the south of Gōnglín Lù (工林路). If you're feeling energetic it is well worth a detour (or a separate trip in itself). You could also consider using a taxi to take you up, and either wait for you or let you walk the return leg.