Yangzhou saw an unprecedented amount of Arab traders during the Tang and Song Dynasties, and among them was the famous descendant of Muhammed named Puhaddin. While in Yangzhou he preached to fellow Islamic merchants, and he built the Xianhe (immortal crane) temple, which today is closed to non-Muslims. His tomb lies in a peaceful garden on a hill along the east bank of the old Grand Canal. The tomb features a unique blend of Muslim and Chinese influence.
The graves of twenty other important Chinese Muslims, inscribed in both Chinese and Arabic, can also be found alongside Puhaddin’s tomb. The tomb of Puhaddin is yet another reminder of Yangzhou’s long standing international importance, and makes for a peaceful visit as well.
