Muslim Tour to Beijing Suggestion

Beijing is a modern and ancient city of China that filled with history and cultural famous attractions worldwide. For Muslim travelers, Beijing is also an ideal place for visiting. Combined with my Beijing muslim tour experience last year, we had a great recommendation list for some mosques and Beijing halal food.
Here is a short tour guide including Beijing Dongsi Mosque and two best halal restaurants that I tried while visiting Beijing. Since Beijing has over 70 Masjid and is home to over 200,000 Muslims then visit at least one of famous mosque in Beijing is a must, right? Okey, then let’s start with Beijing Dongsi Mosque.

As one of the oldest mosque in Beijing, Beijing Dongsi mosque is the headquarters of the Islamic Association of Beijing. Located at No.13, the Dongsi South Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing city, Dongsi mosque was first built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). But there is some ambiguity surrounding the actual construction date of the mosque. Some people believe it was built in the Ming Dynasty.
The main buildings of Dongsi mosque include two gates, a minaret, a prayer hall and a library. Originally, there was a minaret inside the second gate.The prayer hall has been restored and renovated many times.With Koran carved on the arches in the hall,it can hold up to 500 people.There is also a separate area in the main hall for women.
Five wing halls and three wing rooms are respectively on the southern and northern parts of the courtyard. The architectural style of of Dongsi mosque has a feature of Ming Dynasty.There are many precious cultural relics preserved in the mosque.Located in the south wing hall, the library has various versions of the Koran.The oldest and most sacred Koran is a handwritten copy dating back to the Yuan Dynasty.
Visiting Dongsi mosque had given us excellent feeling for starting to know about diversity culture of the country. I thought it was very interesting to experience and personally see different architecture of mosque in Beijing, which is blend with Chinese traditional style.
In addition, we also taste halal restaurants during Beijing Muslim Tour, there are including Manyun Lou Restaurant and Laohuihui Restaurant.

Manyun Lou Restaurant is a one of the famous Muslim featured restaurants in Beijing. Manyun Lou Restaurant has two floors in the antique styles. With its convenient location and good environment, Manyun Lou Restaurant has busy business every day.
Manyun Lou Restaurant is specialized in Muslim food, home cooking dishes and hot pot. Muslim food provided at the restaurant has unique Muslim flavor that is authentic and original. The Stewed Lamb Spine and Roast Sheep Spine are the two featured dishes in the restaurant. Vinegar Mushu and Saseam Lamb Chops are other two popular recommendations.
Hot pot is also quite hot at Manyun Lou Restaurant. Many people come here for the taste of the Sheep Spin hot pot. Sheep spine is fully stewed to get the mellow flavor. Instant-boiled mutton is another hot dish welcomed when eating a hot pot. A little fatty, but never greasy, fresh and tender, the instant-boiled mutton is very popular among customers. Address, No.14, Pinganli Street, Xicheng District, Beijing.

Laohuihui Restaurant is an old Hui-styled Muslim restaurant in Beijing. The restaurant is quite popular by Hui Muslims and Xinjiang people with its delicious and tasty Muslim food.
Though this is an old restaurant, inside its ordinary and ancient appearance is the clean and bright dining hall. Services provided at the restaurant are quite efficient. Dishes have generous quantity and favorable prices, making it a good choice for family or friend gathering dinners.
The restaurant has a large dining hall and several private rooms. At the Laohuihui Restaurant, you can taste authentic Muslim food that has unique Hui flavors. Dishes among top orders are Fried Lamb with Cumin, Braised Mutton, Lamian, Vinegar Mushu and Fried Small Yellow Croaker. Laohuihui also provides nutritious and tasty breakfast in the morning. Sugar cake is one that quite popular. Address, Building 6, Liupukang, Xicheng District, Beijing.
The halal food in Beijing has a unique flavor to it and forms an important part of the authentic Beijing cuisine. Besides those two restaurants that I recommend, of course there are many other halal restaurants.
In our last Beijing muslim tour Malaysia, we could like know different Muslim culture in other countries like in China.