VISITING XI'AN GREAT MOSQUE

   2ND SEPTEMBER 2026    ~ For Muslim tourists from Malaysia, one of the must visit in the itinerary list in Xi'an would be its Great Mosque. After the Drum Tower, we just walked to get to the mosque and it was at about 4:30 p.m.

There was an entry ticket to get inside the mosque complex but we managed to just walk past for free. A few other group members who came in later, however, were asked to pay for the ticket.

To get to the main prayer hall, one would have to walk through layer and layer of arcs and brick structures filled with Chinese gardens.

This place reminded me of Masjid Cina in Klang which I visited in December 2024 [READ HERE]. That particular mosque was using the mosque in Xi'an as its model for its architecture.

The Great Mosque in Xian is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China.

According to historical records engraved on a stone tablet inside, the Great Mosque was built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). This was a result of Islam being introduced into Northwest China by Arab merchants and travelers from Persia and Afghanistan during the mid-7th century when some of them settled down in China and married women of Han Nationality.

SOURCE: travelchinaguide.com

When I reached the main prayer hall, the local Muslims were arriving to perform their Asar prayer. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to get inside at that moment. At the same time, fatigue had set in as we did not get enough rest from the long travel to get to China.

I was glad to get there and to see that Islam was still be practised in China. There was a huge Muslim population in this area [called the Muslim Quarters] of approximately 60 000 - 80 000 people.

VISITING THE BELL TOWER OF XI'AN

   2nd SEPTEMBER 2026    ~ One hour after checking in at the hotel, the exploration of Xi'an started. We were introduced to the city as the tour guide took us to this majestic and historical structure called Drum Tower.

This was one of the majors attraction of Xi'an as tourists, mostly locals, flocked at this very spot that afternoon.

Xi'an Drum tower is about 200 meters away from the Bell tower, enduring over 600 years. This timber-brick drum tower was built in 1380 in the Ming dynasty and is used as a museum now, which displays collections of various drums and cultural relics.

SOURCE: chinadiscovery.com

There was a museum in the tower and one could also watch drum performances there. You would need more time to explore and observe the magic of this place.

We did not get into the tower though, just took a lot of photos around the area. The height of the building and the stairs that I would need to climb already scared me. At the same time, we were actually did not have enough rest after the long journey from Malaysia.

SPOT THE ERROR 238

SPELLING ERROR:

❌ m i r g a t i n g

✅ m i g r a t i n g

NOTE: There should be a space between "a" and "mirgating"

Thanks to my friend, Mr. Norazman for sending me the feed found in Batu Arang, Selangor.

 

ATTENDING THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF THE DAUGHTER OF PUAN NOORAZLIN BAHARIN

    16TH AUGUST 2026    ~ I had not met Puan Noorazlin Baharin, a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993 since we left campus. Then, after more than 30 years, I was invited to the wedding of her daughter, the first in the family.

The event was held at Setia Eco Templer in Templer Park, Rawang.

I got to meet the same few people from the wedding reception on Friday night, two days before [READ HERE].

I didn't get to see the mother of the bride before leaving as I had a flight to catch at 4:00 p.m. She was at that time needed to be on/near the stage in one of the items in the reception programme. 

Congratulations to Puan Noorazlin on the arrival of the new family member. Hopefully I will be invited again in a similar event for her other children in the future and I will make sure to take [at least] a photo with her before going off.