Datong Mosque is one of the most well-known Muslim temples in Shanxi province. According to the temple’s stele, this ancient mosque was first built in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

It was supposed to be built when Islam was introduced to China. Its main building - the Worship Hall - remains from the Ming Dynasty, which is particularly rare and valuable.

According to historical records, in the 13th year of Chongxi in the Liao Dynasty (1044 AD), Datong was upgraded as one of the four provisional capitals of the dynasty.

Liao at that time covered vast territory, facing the Song Dynasty across the Yellow River. Datong, a metropolis in the north line of the Silk Road in China, had a significant geographical location of strategic importance.

Though Liao perished later, the status of Datong as a provisional capital still remained. The city had a strong religious atmosphere and magnificent temple architectures sprung up one after another. Muslims also started to appear in the city.

From available data, Islam was introduced to the city in the Liao or the Jin dynasty, and later became an important religious belief of the Yuan, whose territory stretched across Europe and Asia.

Denominations in the Ming Dynasty also paid great respect to the religion. That is how the mosque could be founded in the center of the important military city.