Xi’an Muslim Quarter: A Culinary & Cultural Gateway on the Silk Road
As the starting point of the Silk Road, Xi’an has long been an important hub for the cultural exchanges and trades between different civilizations since ancient times. It is a city bearing witness of the ancient merchant caravan tracks and the profound history and culture. The Muslim Quarter here, in the city center of Xi’an and near the Bell and Drum Towers, is definitely one of the most popular attractions.
For tourists from all over the world, the Muslim Quarter serves both as a wonderful place for savoring local snacks, but also a unique lens to explore Hui Muslim culture when traveling Xi’an. Here, you can feel the strong ethnic customs and unique cultural charm of Xi’an.
Muslim Quarter Facts
- Location: No. 5 Beiyuanmen Street, Lianhu District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province
- In Chinese: 回民街 (Huiminjie)
- Highlights: Food street; cultural & historical site; night market
- Tickets: Free entry
- Opening hours: All day
- Time needed: 1-3 hours
History of Muslim Quarter Xi’an
The history of Xi’an Muslim Quarter can be traced back to Tang Dynasty. Back to tang dynasty, Chang’an (today’s Xi’an) was a city attracting a large number of Muslim merchants and envoys from Central Western Asia to visit. Muslims also came to Chang’an through the Silk Road and settled down here, forming the Hui Muslim communities. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Muslim Quarter had taken on its current form. Today, the area is not just home to Hui Muslims who live there but also a historical and cultural district in Xi’an. It is home to many mosques including the city’s oldest one, the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane.
Origins on the Silk Road
Chang’an in ancient time, where the Muslim Quarter stood, was the starting point of the overland Silk Road during the Western Han Dynasty, witnessing the history of the ancient Silk Road. The overland Silk Road began with the expeditions of Zhang Qian from the Western Han Dynasty (202 BCE–8 CE). Emperor Wu sent Zhang Qian on a diplomatic mission to the Western Regions and opened this land route. The route led from the capital Chang’an (now Xi’an), traversed Gansu and Xinjiang and extended to Central and Western Asia and Mediterranean countries.
Why Xi’an Has So Many Muslims
Foreign envoys and traders used to gathered here. Some of them got married here and had families, which gradually increased the Muslim population. Most residents here today are descendants of these immigrants. The folks here know one another well — they grew up together, then married and had kids.
Key Demographic & Cultural Facts
Located in the city center of Xi’an and close to the Bell and Drum Towers, Xi’an Muslim Quarter is a renowned food and cultural area in the city. The streets include Beiyuanmen, Guangji Street, Xiyangshi and Dapiyuan. This area is the heart of Xi’an snacks, and all the restaurants here date back to over a century.
But food is not the only thing that will surprise you in this quarter. In addition to its edible delights, it also features a rich Muslim culture. There are several mosques in the neighborhood, including the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane, the Small Mosque in Guangji Street, and the Mosque in Daxuexi Lane. As essential part of local the Quarter life, these mosques reflects the historical and cultural importance of this place.
Top Attractions and Experiences
Xi’an Muslim Quarter possesses its unique charm. Here, you can stroll through bustling streets, savor authentic delicacies, and immerse yourself in rich folk customs.
The Great Mosque of Xi’an
The Great Mosque in Huajue Lane is one of China’s renowned Islamic temples. With a distinctive style of Chinese Islamic temples, it stands out among China’s mosques. You can see the details and decorations that blend Islamic architectural art as soon as you enter the place. Combining traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic culture, it becomes one of China’s most unique, best-preserved, and most typical Chinese-style mosques.
Muslim Street Food Delights
The Muslim Quarter is Xi’an’s most famous snack street. Sampling various Xi’an delicacies along the streets is truly a delight. Brings together the authentic halal foods with chewy texture, the food here provides the most distinctive taste during a China Silk Road trip. You can have the aromatic pita bread soaked in lamb soup, crispy and savory Chinese hamburgers, and refreshing cold noodles… All of them are mouthwatering options.
Night Market Highlight
The night market in Muslim Quarter is brilliant when the lights are all lit. The whole place will brim with lively atmosphere and scent of cooking smoke. Spending a night in hotels near Muslim Quarter will be more convenient for your night tour. You can enjoy delicacies while gaining deeper understanding of Xi’an’s history and culture, experiencing the fusion of tradition and modernity and feeling the city’s unique charm.
Must-Try Foods in the Muslim Quarter
- Yangrou Paomo (Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup): Known as “Shaanxi’s number one delicacy”, it is one of the best dishes popular in the Muslim Quarter. It has long been praised by tourists worldwide.
- Roujiamo (Chinese Hamburger): A signature Shaanxi snack, featuring piping hot crispy bread stuffed with juicy meat and fresh vegetables, and offering perfect texture.
- Liangpi (Cold Noodles): For something refreshing, try Liangpi. This street food made from rice or wheat flour comes with rich spicy sauce. Ideal for hot weather, it’s available at almost every food stall in Muslim Quarter.
Best Time to Visit
Seasonal Considerations
Xi’an’s weather is distinctive in each season. The spring weather is variable, summer is hot and rainy, autumn is cool, and winter is dry and cold with few snow. Therefore, April to May and September to October are the best periods for Xi’an trips.
Day vs. Night Visits
The best time to visit Muslim Quarter is the evening time or at dusk when the market is full of life with a large number of food stalls. Local visitors and travelers can soak up the vibrant ambience, and the area comes alive with the hustle and bustle. But if you prefer a more subdued experience, daytime visits are also wonderful, as there will be less crowded and most shops and restaurants are still open.
How to Get to
| Mode of Transport | Detailed Info. |
| Subway | Take Metro Line 2 to Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Station, exit from B, walk west about 6 minutes to see Gulou (Drum Tower). The street is behind the Bell Tower. |
| Bus | Take bus routes 7, 15, 32, 205, 215, 221, 222, 251, 252, 612, 618 or Tourist Line 8 (610) to Zhonglou West Station, walk toward Drum Tower. |
| From | How to get to |
| Xian North Railway Station | Take Line 2 directly to Bell Tower Station. |
| Airport | Take the airport shuttle bus from the airport to Xi’an North Railway Station, then take Line 2 of the subway to Bell Tower Station. Walk for about 500 meters and you will see Drum Tower. |
| Bell Tower | Walk south from Bell Tower for about 300 meters to Zhubashi Street, then walk west for about 500 meters to reach Muslim Street. |
| Big Wild Goose Pagoda | Take Line 3 from Dayanta Station to Xiaozhai Station, and then transfer to Line 2 and get off at Bell Tower Station. Walk for about 610 meters from Bell Tower Station to reach Muslim Street. |
| Terracotta Army | Take Line 9 from Qilingxi Station to Zhicheng Station, and transfer to Line 1 to Beidajie Station. At Beidajie Station, transfer to Line 2 to Bell Tower Station. |
Nearby Attractions
- Bell & Drum Tower: Stand in splendid harmony, the two buildings form the city’s most representative landmarks. Originally constructed during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, these twin monuments boast over 600 years of history.
- Xi’an Beilin Museum: Located at the former site of the Confucian Temple on Sanxue Street, Xi’an, it is a museum that collects, studies, and exhibits steles, epitaphs, and other ancient stone carving artworks.
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda: Also known as the “Ci’en Temple Pagoda.” It is the earliest surviving and largest square-based brick pagoda with multiple eaves from the Tang Dynasty.
