The Great Mosque清真寺 开场Good afternoon，ladies and gentlemen.Welcome to Xi’an.I am honored to be your guide.Today，we are going to visit the famous Great Mosque. The Great Mosque lies in the northwest of the Drum Tower.It is a major spot for religious activities of over 60，000 Moslems in Xi’an.Unlike the Arabic mosques，the Great Mosque here in Xi’an is a blend of traditional Chinese and Islamic architectures.So the Great Mosque is a key National historical site under special protection. 中国穆斯林的历史Before we get into the mosque，let me introduce the history of Islam in China first.During the Tang dynasty, Arabic merchants and travelers came to the northwest of china through the Silk Road.Many of them settlement down and married the local women，but it was just a small population.The biggest immigration of Moslems to china took place in the 13th century.From then on，the Moslems in china is called the Hui people.In the 14th century，a lot of Moslems took part in Zhu Yuanzhang’s uprising and made great contributions to the founding of the Ming dynasty.So the government began to protect the Islam and set up mosques in praise of the Moslems for their feats. 清真寺简介和历史OK, let’s go around the Great Mosque.According to historical records，the mosque was set up in 742AD.So it has already had a history of over 1,260years.It was built in the shape of a rectangle from the east to the west，and was divided into four courtyards.Now, please follow me.Let’s go to the four courtyards one by one.第一进院In the first courtyard，there is an old Wooden Memorial Archway（木牌坊）.The archway was built at the beginning of 17th century.It was built by Zhu Yuanzhang，who was the first emperor of Ming dynasty，to praise a Hui general.On both sides of the archway，there are several side houses，in which there is some old furniture on display made in the Ming and Qing dynasties. 第二进院Through the Five-Room Hall (五间房)，we came to the second courtyard.In the middle of the second courtyard，there stand three connected stone memorial gateways（石牌坊）with the four pillars.On the top of the main gate，there is a title inscribed in Chinese calligraphy.It says；“The Court of The Heaven”（天监在兹）.At the back of them are also inscribed with some big Chinese characters written respectively by two famous calligraphers—Dong Qichang and Mi Fu.Today，these writings are regarded as some of the best works of art in china. 第三进院In the third courtyard，there is an Imperial Hall（敕修殿）.It is the oldest building in the mosque.Inside the hall，there is a piece of stone，called “The Moon Tablet”(月碑).It was about the way of the calculations of the Moslems calendar.Now this stone tablet has become a very valuable historical record about the development of Islamism in Shaanxi Province.In the middle of the courtyard，there is an “Introspection Tower”（省心楼）.It serves as the minaret and is used to call the Moslems to pray.On the southern side of the minaret is the Official Reception Hall（宫殿），while on the northern side is the Lecture Hall（讲经堂），in which the hand—written copy of “The Koran” of the Ming dynasty and the map of Mecca City（麦加）are well preserved. 第四进院Ok，let’s go to the fourth courtyard.In the last courtyard，the first thing that come into view must be this pavilion.It is called “The One God Pavilion”.It is a place where the worshipers used to wait for the services. 礼拜大殿Let’s go further and take the stairways to the big and wide platform.Now, the magnificent Worship Hall is in front of us.With the huge eaves and brackets，its roofs are all covered with blue glazed roof tiles，while its ceilings are carved with over 600 claical scriptures.The hall can hold a thousand believers to do their religious services at the same time.As this is a holy place，so when you get there，please keep your mobile phone off and do not speak loudly.Now, you can have one hour’s free time to look around.One hour later，we will meet in front of the Wooden Memorial Archway.Thanks for your listening.Wish you a pleasant journey！
