Huaisheng mosque in the city of Guangzhou began to build in the year 627. This is one of the oldest mosques in China. According to legend, it was founded by an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the most famous of his associates Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas. He was the first Muslim missionary in China. However, according to most scholars, the mosque was completed during the reign of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, and later restored several times.

Huaynshen in Chinese language means "remember the Prophet." But there is a mosque and the second name - "Lighthouse Tower." This is an unofficial name it acquired due to the shape of its minaret. He really looks like a lighthouse, and the height of thirty seven meters made it visible to passing ships that used it as a benchmark. The minaret itself is known as Guanta, meaning "Tower of Light", which also confirms the version that the mosque served as a beacon. Not far from the location of the building passes the mouth of the Pearl River.

The architecture Huaynshena intertwine styles, traditional for ancient China and Arab architecture. The mosque consists of a minaret, a two-storey prayer hall and an outdoor pavilion. Also nearby is the ancient Muslim cemetery. According to legend, here were buried forty Islamic missionaries.

Tradition says that the first Muslim followers led by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas arrived in Guangzhou in 627. They were the first missionaries of the young religion, came to China. In the same year, they began to build the minaret of the mosque for Arab merchants lived there. Indeed, thanks to the convenient location of Guangzhou quickly became a rich center of international trade, the turnover which was attended by mostly Arab and Persian merchants. Subsequently, there was formed a large Muslim community.

Huaynshen - one of the first mosques, made in Chinese style, and one of the many attractions of Guangzhou.