This episode of "Where ISLAM meets BUDDHISM" follows Little Chinese Everywhere as she journeys through Xunhua County in Qinghai province, China—a region described as the "Mecca of China." The video showcases the unique blend of Islamic and Buddhist cultures, highlighting the area's rich history and stunning landscapes.
Little Chinese Everywhere begins her journey in Tongren, a Tibetan autonomous county, before arriving in Xunhua, home to the Salar people, an ethnic group believed to have originated from Samarkand (present-day Uzbekistan). She notes the striking juxtaposition of Buddhism and Islam, evident in the region's mixed population and cultural practices.
The journey takes her through breathtaking scenery, a transitional zone between the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau and the Loess plateau. The landscape is described as stunning, with colorful, red mountains. She also highlights the Yellow River's origin, observing its clear waters before they become muddy further downstream.
The video then focuses on Jianzha, a town with a significant Muslim population alongside its Buddhist majority. Little Chinese Everywhere points out the distinctive Chinese-style minarets of the mosques, which resemble pagodas, a testament to the unique architectural fusion. She visits the Zhihe Monastery, a spectacular structure nestled among colorful Danxia landforms, showcasing the erosion of mudstones and tiny meditation caves in the rock.
Continuing her journey, she arrives in Xunhua, immediately noticing the distinct Islamic elements, such as the white caps worn by many men and the numerous minarets in every village. She explores several mosques, emphasizing their unique architectural style, a blend of traditional Chinese aesthetics and Islamic features. She notes that the mosques often feature a combination of Islamic calligraphy and Chinese painting, each mosque uniquely combining Chinese and Islamic elements with creative freedom. The minarets, in particular, are highlighted as being strikingly different from those found in the Middle East, showcasing a traditional Chinese pagoda style.
Little Chinese Everywhere also interacts with locals, engaging in conversations to learn more about the Hui and Salar people, their origins, and their shared Islamic faith. She learns about the differences between the two groups, noting that Salar people have their own language, while Hui people speak Mandarin. She also visits the Ahetan Mosque, a 600-year-old structure, and learns about a handwritten Quran, believed to be one of the oldest in China. The video concludes with Little Chinese Everywhere expressing some regret at having to leave, mentioning several other sites she wished she had time to explore, further emphasizing the richness and diversity of the region.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What is Xunhua known for?
- A: Xunhua is known as the "Mecca of China" because it has a large Muslim population and many beautiful mosques with a unique blend of Chinese and Islamic architecture.
- Q: What are the Hui and Salar people?
- A: The Hui and Salar are ethnic groups in China who primarily follow Islam. The Salar people speak their own language, while the Hui people speak Mandarin. They have different origins, but both are believed to have Central Asian roots.
- Q: What's special about the mosques in Xunhua?
- A: The mosques in Xunhua are incredibly unique because they blend traditional Chinese architectural styles with Islamic features. They often feature Chinese-style pagodas as minarets, Chinese paintings, and Islamic calligraphy.
- Q: What is the significance of the handwritten Quran in Xunhua?
- A: The handwritten Quran in Xunhua is believed to be one of the oldest in China, brought by the ancestors of the Salar people when they migrated from Central Asia along the Silk Road.
- Q: What other places are near Xunhua?
- A: Near Xunhua, you can find the old residence of the 10th Panchen Lama, the Lajia ruins (famous for 4000-year-old noodles), and the Bingling Buddhist Grottoes.
