Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas

Introducing Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas
Guangzhou Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas is the top priority for foreign Muslims to attend religious services. Located in the neighborhood of Guihuagang and Guangzhou Railway Station and in the vicinity of the site of former Canton Fair and Dongfang Hotel, it has through its convenient location attracted to its worship hall many foreign Muslims who work, or do business in Guangzhou.

Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Qingzhen Xianxian Gumu 清真先贤古墓
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, Muslim Cultural Study
• Opening Hours: 08:30-16:00
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Address: No.901, Jiefang North Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

What to expect at Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas

Guangzhou Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas also named Guangzhou Mausoleum of Ancient Islamic Sage, is the grave of Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, the first missionary who introduced Islam into China in the early Tang Dynasty. He is the first disciple of Chinese Islam and the founder of Islamic classic culture, thus his Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas was viewed as the “Shrine of Islamic Sage” by Chinese and foreign Muslims for over one thousand years with pilgrims visiting it in an endless stream. Cantonese residents have also referred to it as the “Daren Mausoleum”; with “Daren” referring to Waqqas.

According to historical religious records, at the beginning of Tang Dynasty, Othman, the Third Khalifa of the Islam, dispatched three missionaries Uwais, Qays and Waqqaas to China. Uwais died midway in Yumen, Gansu and was buried there, while Qays died of an illness in Xingxing Valley, the border of Gansu and Xinjiang, and later his graveyard was moved to the suburban area of Hami City. Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas as the survivor subsequentrly died of an illness in Guangzhou, and was buried in the suburban area of Guihuagang.

Guangzhou Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas dedicated to an Ancient Islamic Sage is secluded and stands refined with ancient trees towering to the skies and high walls surrounding it. At the front of the Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas are to be found a Worship Hall, Memorial Arch, Square Pavilion, Reception Room, Water Room, etc. A rocky track is laid before the front gate and thriving bamboos and trees bloom on both sides.

During the Guangzhou Asian Games, the Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas took on a new mission of receiving Muslim athletes from Asian countries for religious services, and a new Worship Hall is under construction, which can house 2,000 people and provide a notable worship place for Muslims from across Asia.

How to get to Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas

By Metro
• Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Yuxiu Gongyuan Sation.

By Bus
• Take bus 21, 24, 58, 87, 101, 103, 105, 108, 109, 110, 113, 124, 182, 186, 211, 244, 265, 273, 284, 519, 528, 543, 555 or 556 and get off at Yuexiu Gongyuan Station.

Additional travel advice on Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas
• Please respect the Muslim traditions and customs.
• Please dress appropriately. Men and women should wear clothes with long sleeves and long pants. Don’t wear shorts.