the numerous wooden columns in the prayer hall as the use of wooden columns predates that of brick columns which were typical of Qing dynasty buildings. The prayer hall is a monumental timber building with a turquoise hip roof, painted dougong (wooden brackets), a six-pillared portico, and five doors. Contrary to most mosques in many Muslim-majority states, the prayer hall does not feature a dome-shaped ceiling but has a traditional Chinese, pointy ceiling covered with ceramic decorative tiles. Meanwhile, the prayer hall is decorated with images of plants and flowers, suggesting the decorative program still followed the Islamic tradition that forbids anthropomorphic imageries. The ceiling is raised upon a large stone platform lined with wooden balustrades. The expansive prayer hall consists of three conjoined buildings, set one behind the other. In the furthest part of the prayer hall stands the rear qibla wall, which has wooden carvings of floral and calligraphic designs. Gallery See also Islam in China Timeline of Islamic history List of the oldest mosques in the world List of famous mosques List of mosques in China References External links Description of the Great Mosque of Xi'an Asian Historical Architecture: Great Mosque Huajuexiang Mosque in Xian (Masterpiece of Islamic Architecture) Religious organizations established in the 8th century Mosques in China Religious buildings and structures in Xi'an Ming dynasty architecture Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in Shaanxi Tourist attractions in Xi'an Xi'an