Linxia, China

Linxia, China
Coordinates: 35 36 N 103 10 E
Population: 205,550 (2007 est.)

If asked to describe the architectural landscape of Chinese religion, few people would forget to include the ornate temples, sprawling monasteries, and historic shrines scattered across this Communist state’s large territory. But how many would remember to add mosques to the list? While still very much a minority, the Islamic population of western China approaches 25 million people, many of whom live in predominantly Muslim communities such as Linxia in the Gansu province. Ethnically, Linxia’s citizens are mainly Hui, one of 55 ethnic groups commonly recognized in China. Agriculture and animal husbandry remain important to the local economy, and approximately 80 mosques can be found within the limits of this mid-sized municipality south of the Yellow River.

Ben Keene is the editor of Oxford Atlas of the World. Check out some of his previous places of the week.