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There is an Islamic mosque in Sian whose founding stone indicates 742 A.D. The grounds of the mosque are arrayed into four beautiful cour. ^traditional Chinese architecture — a memorial arch at the far east and a large columed temple, the mosque proper, in the west — to face Mecca. Along the sides of two of the courts are pavilions. The courts are separated with additional arches and smaller buildings and walls.
The area'is decorated with trees and shrubs and the buildings bear carvings in relief of stone flowers, birds, dragons and some Arabic calligraphy. The atmosphere is calm, formal but friendly. In all the rooms of the pavilions, somewhat, ornate and large Chinese tables and chairs are arranged for meetings and the study of the Koran. Large, erect polished stones carry Chinese and Islamic scripts.
Imagine at so early a date, there were enough Moslems in this capital of the Tang dynasty (618-907) who were influential enough to support a prominent place of worship. Today on Fridays it is full to overflowing with devoi Moslems. On one of the walls hangs an ancient map of Mecca.
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