Muslim Quarter

Overview

Xi'an's Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) is a vibrant neighbourhood centred on Beiyuanmen Street, home to the Hui Muslim community for over a thousand years. The narrow lanes brim with food stalls, souvenir shops, and mosques.

Highlights

• Street food: Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), yangrou paomo (lamb soup), and pomegranate juice.
• Beiyuanmen Street: The main pedestrian artery, atmospheric after dark under lantern light.
• Side alley mosques: Smaller mosques with Chinese-Islamic architectural fusion.

History

The Hui community traces its origins to Arab and Persian traders who settled along the Silk Road during the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), over 1,300 years ago.

Visitor Tips

• Best time: Evenings after 18:00 for the full night-market atmosphere.
• Cash useful: Some smaller stalls prefer cash.
• Duration: 1.5–2.5 hours.