The Niujie Mosque in Xicheng, Beijing, was founded in 996 under the Liao dynasty and is the oldest mosque in the city. Its halls are built in Chinese timber form with Arabic inscription rather than in an imported style, which makes it one of the clearest examples of Hui architecture. It serves the Hui community of the Niujie quarter, the largest Muslim neighbourhood in Beijing, and holds the five daily prayers and Friday prayer.