How to Visit Muslim Quarter in Xi'an (Tips, Photos & Map)

Plan your Xi'an tour? The Terracotta Warriors Museum will be definitely a must-to-see on your Xi'an travel plan. But one equally important thing to do  and you cannot afford to miss is to have a taste or glimpse of the exotic food on the streets in the Muslim community in Xian. These back streets are full of life with a rich strong feel of Islamic cultural vibe.

The Muslim Community is known as Muslim Quarter in Xian or colloquially called "Huifang (回坊）" in Chinese. It is said there are over 300 Muslim local foods on the streets in Xian Muslim Quarter that attract a consistent flow of visitors everyday coming here to savour or just have a glimpse.

The Museum Quarter in Xian is easily accessible, just behind ( north of ) Drum Tower, about 430 meters to the west of Bell Tower in the center of the downtown Xian.

Get off at Zhonglou ( Bell  Tower ) Subway Station of Metro Line 2 and walk from Bell Tower toward the drum tower for about 430 meters, passing by Starbucks (Bell Tower Shop). Soon you will reach the north of Drum Tower, your starting place for further delving into the streets where the Muslim community has had a presence for many generations.

The Muslim food community is composed of several streets like Beiyuan Men Street, Beiguangji Street, Xiyangshi Street and Dapiyuan Street and all the streets are stone-paved streets flanked with the traditional buildings in Ming and Qing dynasties. All the low level of the buildings  is open daily, hosting food stalls, restaurants and souvenirs stalls.

Tips

Tip: Hassle-free Xi'an Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for Xian guided tours:

Further Readings