Muslim Quarter - Muslim Food Street

Muslim Quarter, also known as Huimin Street, is the hub of the Muslim community in Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. Located to the north of West Street in the city center, the quarter covers several blocks inhabited by over 20,000 Muslims. There are about ten mosques in the area of Muslim Street, among which the Great Mosque in Huajue Lane is the most famous and popular.

Muslim food and souvenir market is another feature of the area. The Beiyuanmen Muslim Market located just to the north of the Drum Tower is a great choice after the sightseeing in the city center. About 500 meters (about 547 yards) in length from south to north, the street can be reached through the archway under the Drum Tower. This street is paved with dark-colored stone with green trees providing heavy shade during summer; the buildings on both sides of the street are modeled on the styles of both the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasties (1644-1911). Some of the constructions are restaurants; while others are stores. But here there is one thing in common: the owners are all Muslims.

Muslim Quarter Facts

Overview of Shaanxi History Museum

Muslim Street is a paved road with blue-gray flagstones and shaded by trees, along which the archaized stores of the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911) dynasties are in line, and they're all operated by the Hui ethnic people. The street is lined up with various restaurants and food stalls, some of which specialize in selling cakes, others in dried fruit or breads, and hordes of stalls selling barbequed meats on skewers.

You can try both traditional dishes and special snacks, such as roujiamo – marinated beef or lamb stuffed inside a freshly baked bun – and cold noodles, which can be made from rice or from flour, numerous tasteful snacks along its several streets, such as Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup, Soup Dumplings, and so on. Therefore, you can both please your taste bud and experience the hospitality of local Islamic residents who are the descendants of people from ancient Arab, Persia, etc. Moreover, since the buildings of Qing and Ming dynasty styles are dotted there with special fancy mosques, it is a great opportunity to appreciate the elegant artistic works and know more about the local culture.

History of Muslim Quarter Xian

According to history, the Muslim Quarter was a prosperous business street with lots of renowned stores. And more than 2,000 years ago, some businessmen, envoys, and students from the ancient Arab, Persia, etc. started their immigration to Chang’an (长安, the ancient name of Xi'an) which was later the start of the Silk Road. Since then, they did their business, studied, worked as officials, etc., and lived here from one generation to another. And till now, there are more than 60 thousand Hui people (回族) living in the Muslim Quarter Xi'an.

Things to Do at Muslim Quarter

Watch the Busy Scene of Muslim Quarter

The Muslim Quarter Xi'an has long been prosperous selling delicious food. Visitors can find countless stores selling the local Xi'an snacks and Islamic food. While walking in the big block from Dapiyuan (大皮院) to Qiaozikou (桥梓口), tourists can feel the most civilian and true life of Xi'an. Apart from those, the night scene of the Muslim Quarter is also very worth to experience. You can see this quarter filled with rich atmosphere of civil life with the bright lights and lamps ganging along, buyers bargaining for their desirable commodities, people enjoying food while hanging on the streets, etc. This real vigorous scene will make your Xi'an tour unforgettable.

Appreciate the Featured Buildings in Muslim Quarter

To visit the Muslim Quarter, it is really regret not to pay a visit to the representative mosques and other beautiful buildings.

Great Mosque of Xi'an

As one of the best-preserved and most typical Chinese Mosque, the Great Mosque (清真大寺) of more than 1,200 years old appears in abundant design of traditional Chinese culture in many aspects, which shows China is a great country combining multiple cultures together into a very harmonious one. The Great Mosque of Xi'an in HuajueXiang (化觉巷) is one of the “Top Four Mosque in China”. Besides the spectacular view of blue glazed tiles covering the roof, the delicate carvings on every wall and hundreds of excellent painting works of plants can be called the artistic feast for the eyes, which is also very rare and precious.

The An’ s Courtyard

The An’ s Courtyard is located on No. 125 of HuajueXiang. This courtyard has a long history of more than 200 years. You can appreciate its black bricks and tiles, exquisite carvings as well as paintings on the beams and rafters. It is truly a great place to appreciate the featured quadrangle courtyard of antique beauty.

Taste the Delicious Xi'an Food in Muslim Quarter

Since the Muslim Quarter is a very famous snack street in Xi'an, it is a treat to taste the various kinds of delicious Xi'an Food along the street. You can try the special local food cooked by the wise and hardworking Hui people, and feel the culture of food and their good heart.

Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup

The Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup, also called Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍), is the “Best Food in Shaanxi”. This historic food has long been praised by many visitors worldwide. You can find any one restaurant in this quarter and order this dish. The tough and chewy bean vermicelli, fresh lamb and soft pita bread will make you get into its special flavor.

Soup Dumplings

The Soup Dumplings (灌汤包子) are featured for its fresh soup within the dumplings, tender meat and very thin wrapper. This is not a new way of eating dumplings, but an innovation of its appearance. When you taste the fresh soup and bite the paper-thinned skin, you would know how excellent skill the cook masters. Among all the restaurants selling soup dumplings in Xi'an, Jiasan Soup Dumpling (贾三灌汤包子) is the most famous with the best taste.

The Chinese Hamburger

Chinese Hamburger, or Chinese Sandwich, or Rou Jia Mo (肉夹馍) in Chinese pronunciation, is a characteristic food in Shaanxi. The hot crispy bun with the tender meat and vegetable fillings inside give you the very great tasting experience.

Besides the above recommended featured food, there are many tasteful snacks for you to have fun in the sea of delicacy, such as the persimmon doughnuts, liangpi noodles, hammered candy, jinXi'anyouta, jing cake, etc. which makes you feel time limited to taste them all.

How to Get to Muslim Quarter

Independent Travel

Since the Muslim Quarter Xi'an is situated at the central place of this city, it very convenient and time-saving to get there. You can choose a taxi, bus, subway and other vehicle to arrive easily.

By subway

Take the subway line 2 to get off at the Bell & Drum Tower Station, and walk for about 5 mins.

Travel with Travel Tour China(Top Recommended)

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private Xian tour package which covers sightseeing, dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to visit Muslim Quarter and other popular Xian attractions with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing.

Tips to Visit Muslim Quarter

1. Almost all the snacks in Muslim Street are very enough in quantity, therefore it is suggested to choose the smaller one so that you can taste more kinds of food.

2. Since this street is the gathering place for Hui people, please respect the local Islamic customs, like do not bring a Rou Jia Mo with pork filling into a Islamic restaurant, and do not wear shorts or short skirts visiting a mosque, etc.

How to Plan a Xi'an Tour

Xian has a lot of places to visit. Terracotta Warriors and Horses is definitely the No.1 must-see. After that, take a stroll or rent a bike on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China, to enjoy panoramic views of modern Xi’an. Then try some local snacks at the bustling and lively Muslim Quarter. On the next day, you can go to visit Da Cien Temple and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to feel the Buddhist culture, then get a deeper understanding of the past of this city in Shaanxi History Museum. If you are interested in mountain climbing, don’t miss the challenging Mount Huashan which is famous for lofty peaks and steep paths. If you have other ideas or questions about a Xian tour, please feel free to contact us. We are also specialized in customized tours according to your own requirements, interests, travelling budgets, etc.