Hidden Mosques Near Chengdu: Renshou Qinggang Hui Community and Sichuan Beef Broth
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Summary: Qinggang Township in Renshou County, Meishan City is described as the first Hui Muslim community south of Chengdu. This Spring Festival road-trip note keeps the source's Maqing Ecological Farmhouse meal, Qinggang Hui migration history, Renshou Mosque dates, imam details, and photographs.
On February 17, I flew from Urumqi to Chengdu Tianfu Airport in the morning. I picked up a car at the parking garage and drove for over 40 minutes to reach Qinggang Township in Renshou County, Meishan City. This is the first Hui Muslim community south of Chengdu.
At noon, I ordered a bowl of original broth beef (yuantang niurou) at the Maqing Ecological Farmhouse in the township. It was authentic and tasted great with rice when dipped in chili powder. Parking at their place is very convenient.
The village scenery is very beautiful.
A halal restaurant on Halal Street (Qingzhen Jie).
Qinggang Township was originally called Qinggangya. Most local Hui Muslims moved here from Xiaogan Township in Macheng County, Hubei, during the 'Huguang Fills Sichuan' migration in the Kangxi era. They first settled in Yinjia Dam in Longchang, Sichuan, then moved to Qinggangya in Renshou during the Qianlong era, making a living through farming, animal husbandry, and the food business.
Renshou Mosque was first built in 1803 (the eighth year of the Jiaqing reign). It was rebuilt in 1919 as a wooden-frame courtyard with small grey tiles in the style of southern Sichuan. In recent years, the mosque was rebuilt due to issues like rotting roof beams and pillars, cracked walls, and a leaking roof. When I arrived, the main hall courtyard had already been rebuilt. It still follows the southern Sichuan courtyard layout but is now taller. Inside the main hall, there is beautiful traditional calligraphy written by Imam Ma. Imam Ma is from Xichang, Sichuan, and is just over thirty years old. He gave up a promising career to come here and serve the faith, which is very admirable.
From the eighth year of the Jiaqing reign, the plaque reads 'Ancient Religion of Opening Heaven' (Kaitian Gujiao), presented by Ma XX, a military official of the Chengdu Left Battalion stationed in Renshou. The right side is hard to read, and I welcome everyone to help complete it.
From the 25th year of the Daoguang reign, the plaque reads 'Unique' (Duyi Wuer), presented by Ma Pengcheng, a thousand-man commander of the Zhangying Battalion stationed in Renshou.
From the eighth year of the Republic of China, the plaque reads 'Utmost Stillness and Silence' (Zhijing Wuwen), marking the mosque's reconstruction, erected by nine people of the Cai family from the 'Kai' generation.
From the eighth year of the Republic of China, the plaque reads 'A Different World' (Bie You Yitian), marking the mosque's reconstruction, presented by Han Chinese residents of Qinggang. This inscription is extremely rare.
From the eighth year of the Republic of China, the plaque reads 'Mosque' (Qingzhensi), erected by the mosque committee members.
The mosque houses a Qing Dynasty 'Long Live' stele, which is carved with nine coiled dragons.
There are old Republic-era architectural niches and stone tablets, which I hope will be properly preserved in the future.
There is a Qing Dynasty carved wooden block; one side shows the Holy Image, and the other side contains praises to the Prophet.
Summary: Qinggang Township in Renshou County, Meishan City is described as the first Hui Muslim community south of Chengdu. This Spring Festival road-trip note keeps the source's Maqing Ecological Farmhouse meal, Qinggang Hui migration history, Renshou Mosque dates, imam details, and photographs.
On February 17, I flew from Urumqi to Chengdu Tianfu Airport in the morning. I picked up a car at the parking garage and drove for over 40 minutes to reach Qinggang Township in Renshou County, Meishan City. This is the first Hui Muslim community south of Chengdu.
At noon, I ordered a bowl of original broth beef (yuantang niurou) at the Maqing Ecological Farmhouse in the township. It was authentic and tasted great with rice when dipped in chili powder. Parking at their place is very convenient.
The village scenery is very beautiful.
A halal restaurant on Halal Street (Qingzhen Jie).
Qinggang Township was originally called Qinggangya. Most local Hui Muslims moved here from Xiaogan Township in Macheng County, Hubei, during the 'Huguang Fills Sichuan' migration in the Kangxi era. They first settled in Yinjia Dam in Longchang, Sichuan, then moved to Qinggangya in Renshou during the Qianlong era, making a living through farming, animal husbandry, and the food business.
Renshou Mosque was first built in 1803 (the eighth year of the Jiaqing reign). It was rebuilt in 1919 as a wooden-frame courtyard with small grey tiles in the style of southern Sichuan. In recent years, the mosque was rebuilt due to issues like rotting roof beams and pillars, cracked walls, and a leaking roof. When I arrived, the main hall courtyard had already been rebuilt. It still follows the southern Sichuan courtyard layout but is now taller. Inside the main hall, there is beautiful traditional calligraphy written by Imam Ma. Imam Ma is from Xichang, Sichuan, and is just over thirty years old. He gave up a promising career to come here and serve the faith, which is very admirable.
From the eighth year of the Jiaqing reign, the plaque reads 'Ancient Religion of Opening Heaven' (Kaitian Gujiao), presented by Ma XX, a military official of the Chengdu Left Battalion stationed in Renshou. The right side is hard to read, and I welcome everyone to help complete it.
From the 25th year of the Daoguang reign, the plaque reads 'Unique' (Duyi Wuer), presented by Ma Pengcheng, a thousand-man commander of the Zhangying Battalion stationed in Renshou.
From the eighth year of the Republic of China, the plaque reads 'Utmost Stillness and Silence' (Zhijing Wuwen), marking the mosque's reconstruction, erected by nine people of the Cai family from the 'Kai' generation.
From the eighth year of the Republic of China, the plaque reads 'A Different World' (Bie You Yitian), marking the mosque's reconstruction, presented by Han Chinese residents of Qinggang. This inscription is extremely rare.
From the eighth year of the Republic of China, the plaque reads 'Mosque' (Qingzhensi), erected by the mosque committee members.
The mosque houses a Qing Dynasty 'Long Live' stele, which is carved with nine coiled dragons.
There are old Republic-era architectural niches and stone tablets, which I hope will be properly preserved in the future.
There is a Qing Dynasty carved wooden block; one side shows the Holy Image, and the other side contains praises to the Prophet.
