The vibrant city of Guangzhou is home to the splendid Huaisheng Mosque, which is believed to be one of the world’s oldest mosques, as its genesis can be traced back more than 1,300 years. Experience the compelling historic monuments scattered throughout the city from any of the quality Guangzhou serviced apartments available. A choice selection of Guangzhou long stay accommodation may be found at the centrally located and well-appointed Springdale Serviced Residence Guangzhou. Make sure that the Huaisheng mosque occupies a primary spot on your cultural itinerary, as it forms a rather unique spectacle on the traditional Chinese skyline. Its most interested feature comes in the form of the minaret tower, which soars to an impressive 36 metres in height, and it was believed to have functioned as a light house tower for incoming boats and other marine vessels, hence one of its names, “Guangta”, which translates to “tower of light”. The word may also mean “smooth tower”, referred to the unmarked surface of the tower’s exteriors, which gleams white when the light hits it just right. “Huaisheng” translates as “cherishing the sacred” or “cherishing the sage”, which refers to the Prophet. Chinese Muslim manuscripts of antiquity attest that the mosque was most like built by an uncle of the Prophet, Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, during the mid 7th century. The Huaisheng Mosque is one of the most famous monuments to Islam in the country, which is primarily Buddhist, and should form part of your cultural “things to do in Guangzhou” list.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.
