China, Islamic architecture in - Encyclopaedia of Islam, THREE
[Article]
Steinhardt, Nancy
Leiden
Brill
(12,744 words)
Islamic architecture in China most likely dates from the eighth century and flourished from the time of the Song dynasty (r. 960-1279). It is characterised by its adaptability to the Chinese building system. The oldest Muslim buildings in China today (cenotaphs, mausoleums, and prayer halls, an entry gate, and a minaret) survive in locations across the country and date to the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Shrines of holy men (Ar. qubba ) date primarily from the Qing dynasty (r. 1644-1911) and are located in western China. The oldest Islamic