Landmark
Muslim Quarter
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Xi'an's Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) is the vibrant heart of the city's Hui Muslim community, a warren of lantern-lit lanes packed with food stalls, snack shops, and centuries of culture, just behind the Drum Tower in the old walled city. It's one of China's great street-food destinations: sizzling lamb skewers, hand-pulled biang biang noodles, roujiamo ('Chinese hamburgers'), persimmon cakes, and the famous yangrou paomo (mutton stew with torn bread) fill the air with smoke and aroma as crowds graze late into the night.
Beyond the food, the quarter hides the serene Great Mosque of Xi'an, a remarkable centuries-old mosque built in Chinese architectural style with pagoda-like minarets and tranquil courtyards. Come hungry in the evening, wander the lanes, and don't miss the mosque tucked away from the bustle.
Don't miss
- Lantern-lit lanes of street food and snacks
- Lamb skewers, biang biang noodles, roujiamo, and paomo
- The Great Mosque of Xi'an, in Chinese architectural style
- Silk Road history and living Hui culture
- The buzzing late-night atmosphere
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Muslim Quarter
You don't need a tour to visit, entry is free. A tour is worth it if you want transport, a guide, or to combine Muslim Quarter with nearby sights in one day. That's what these do well.
Cheapest way inXi'an: Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour & Local Family Lunch5★ · 112 travelers6-7 hoursFree cancellationFrom$22 per personSee dates →
Best full dayMini Group Xian Day Tour to Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda and Muslim Bazaar4.9★ · 1,545 travelers9-10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$24 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleXi'an Private Foodie Tour by Tuktuk5★ · 40 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$91 per personSee dates →Good for
How travelers rate it
Know before you go
- Come hungry in the evening and graze widely, it's one of China's best street-food streets.
- Don't miss the Great Mosque, a tranquil Chinese-style mosque tucked off the food lanes.
- Carry cash for the stalls, though mobile payment is widespread.
- It's crowded and smoky at night, part of the atmosphere.
A bit of history
Xi'an's Hui Muslim community traces back over a thousand years to traders arriving via the Silk Road, of which Xi'an (then Chang'an) was the eastern terminus. The quarter grew around the Great Mosque (founded in the 8th century, rebuilt over centuries) and remains a living centre of Hui culture and cuisine.
Common questions
What should I eat in the Muslim Quarter?
Lamb skewers, biang biang noodles, roujiamo (Chinese 'hamburgers'), yangrou paomo (mutton-and-bread stew), and persimmon cakes are the classics.
Is there more than food?
Yes, the Great Mosque of Xi'an, an atmospheric centuries-old mosque built in Chinese architectural style, is tucked within the quarter and well worth seeing.
When's the best time to visit?
Evening, when the lanes are lit and at their liveliest. Visit the mosque during daylight hours.
How do I get there?
Metro to the Bell Tower in central Xi'an, then walk past the Drum Tower into the quarter.
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