LINGMINGTANG MOSQUE
Introduction: 灵明堂拱北 (Língmíngtáng Gǒngběi) is a large Sufi mosque and tomb complex in the hills in the south of Lanzhou. The hillsides around Lingmingtang are scattered with earth mounds - the grave sites of the Lanzhou (and surrounding areas) Hui community. Construction started in 1985, and now the complex covers 40,000 square metres, across 3 large courtyards, with enormous 30m high gate buildings and a prayer hall for 1000 people. There are lots of hidden-away courtyards and gardens to either side of the main areas.
Location: 五星坪 (Wǔxīng Píng) in 七里河区 (Qīlǐhé Qū District).
Getting there: By bus (#111 from near the railway station). See the map. If you are travelling south from the West Bus Station (西车站 Xī Chēzhàn) towards the South Bus Station (南车站 Nán Chēzhàn), you need to take a left immediately after railway level crossing (don't confuse this with the railway underpass on the same road). Then take the second right, up into a maze of narrow streets in this Hui muslim area on the hillside. From here, it's another 3 km, but best to ask for directions. Our taxi driver knew Wuxing Ping, and got us almost there before we needed to ask. You could combine a visit here with the Hualin Ping walk.
Location: 五星坪 (Wǔxīng Píng) in 七里河区 (Qīlǐhé Qū District).
Getting there: By bus (#111 from near the railway station). See the map. If you are travelling south from the West Bus Station (西车站 Xī Chēzhàn) towards the South Bus Station (南车站 Nán Chēzhàn), you need to take a left immediately after railway level crossing (don't confuse this with the railway underpass on the same road). Then take the second right, up into a maze of narrow streets in this Hui muslim area on the hillside. From here, it's another 3 km, but best to ask for directions. Our taxi driver knew Wuxing Ping, and got us almost there before we needed to ask. You could combine a visit here with the Hualin Ping walk.
View Lanzhou 兰州 in a larger map
