HUAISHENG MOSQUE

In 627, under the Tang, the period of great opening of China to the outside world. One of China's first mosques built after the arrival of the first Muslim missionary is dedicated to Mohammed, as his Chinese name indicates: " in memory of the wise. " His minaret, high of 36 m, is nicknamed Guangta (the «polite tower»). This place of worship was extremely active during the Tang and Song dynasties, when many Arab merchants came to Canton to develop the trading of spices, ivory and rhinoceros horns. At present, many Cantonais have the Ma and Pu family names derived from Arabic. Women are not allowed to enter.