Muslim Quarter, Xi'an
Muslim Quarter, also known as Huimin Jie in Pingyin, is one of the most bustling blocks in downtown Xi’an. Located to the north of the city’s Drum Tower, the quarter is composed of multiple streets, including north-south parallel streets of Beiyuanmen and Bei Guangjijie, and also east-west parallel lanes such as Xiyangshi and Dapiyuan. More than 60,000 Muslim people live in this quarter, making it the largest Muslim community in Xi’an and also a place featuring Islam culture. You can not only see Muslim men wearing white hats and Muslim women wearing colorful headscarves, but also visit the Great Mosque with ancient and attractive buildings.
For tourists coming to Xi’an, this place plays a role as their “dining table”, lined with abundant restaurants and food stores and providing various local delicacies. Strolling along it, one can also shop for some souvenirs.
Heaven for Foodies – Feast of Authentic Xi’an Food
The main street of the Muslim Quarter is the 500-meter-long (550 yards) Beiyuanmen paved with dark-grey bricks. It is right behind the Drum Tower. There are lush green trees and varied neon signboards on both sides. Whenever you come, this street is crowded with foodies who want to taste as much delicious Xi’an food as possible.
Must-try Xi’an Food in Muslim Quarter
1. Crumbled Flatbread in Mutton Stew / Yangrou Paomo: A Xi’an tour without this stable food is definitely not complete. Unlike other most dishes totally prepared by cooks, this one features tourists’ DIY on the material. Most people choose to tear flatbreads into small pieces by themselves, adding more fun to the dining experience. Try your best to tear the flatbreads as small as possible, so that they absorb more mutton soup and taste better.
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2. Biang Biang Noodles: The reason why the noodles are named “biang biang” is that it’s the similar sound of noodles touching the chopping board during the cooking process. Local people even create a symbolic Chinese character for the sound. The noodles further amaze people with their length of about 1 meter (1 yard) and width of about 3 centimeters (1 inch). Biang Biang Noodles are often served in a bowl even larger than a person’s face, which is for the convenience of mixing the noodles thoroughly with ingredients and seasonings.
3. Cold Skin Noodles and Xi’an Hamburger/ Rou Jia Mo: These two, along with orange-flavored soda, compose the typical Xi’an set meal. White cold skin noodles, green diced celery, and red chili oil will meet both your eyes and appetite. The Xi’an Hamburger sold in Muslim Quarter is usually composed of a baked bun and chopped braised beef inside.
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4. If you prefer savory snacks, roast meat stuck with red willow branches and also steamed dumplings are recommended. Or if you have a sweet tooth, must-tries include persimmon pies with sweet-scented osmanthus, and also Jinggao made of glutinous rice and Chinese dates, one of the most representative desserts in Xi’an.
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5. Sweet and sour plum juice and pomegranate juice: Holding a cup of the juice while you’re strolling on the street helps quench your thirst.
Great Mosque – A Place to Closely Learn about Muslim Culture
Muslim Quarter enjoys a long history back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Since then, Muslim people from the Arabian area came to Chang’an, what Xi’an was called at that time, for doing business. As time goes by, this quarter has gradually come into being and become a Muslim community. Nowadays, it is also a good place for tourists to learn about Muslim culture and visit mosques.
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| Our Guests at Great Mosque |
A total of 10 mosques have been built in this quarter, and the most famous one is the Great Mosque constructed on the Huajue Lane in 742. As one of the most famous and ancient mosques in China, the Great Mosque is quite different from worlds’ others, featuring delicate buildings in traditional Chinese style including a pavilion in the shape of a phoenix spreading its wings.
Gao's Grand Courtyard
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| Ancient Building in Gao's Grand Courtyard |
Muslim Quarter Travel Advice
1. Muslim Quarter is even more bustling at night, when neon signboards along streets are brightly lit. Moreover, the Drum Tower to the south end of Beiyuanmen doesn’t close until 21:30 from March to November and until 18:00 from December to February, so that you can step up the tower and get a panoramic night view of the lively main street.
2. Muslim Quarter is crowded, especially during China’s public holidays. If you don’t like crowds, you can visit the quarter during breakfast and lunch time, when tourists are fewer than the dinner time. Or you’re suggested to walk westward from the main street to explore those less crowded branch streets.
3. You will not find pork food in the quarter.
4. Please obey the dress code for visiting the mosque: Avoid wearing sleeveless clothes and make sure your tops and bottoms have sleeves as long as possible.
5. When purchasing handicraft works and souvenirs in Muslim Quarter, remember to compare prices and pay attention to their quality.
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How to Get to the Muslim Quarter
By Metro:Take Metro Line 2 or Line 6 and get off at Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Station. Get out from Exit B. Walk westward for around 6 minutes, and enter Beiyuanmen Street passing by the Drum Tower.
By Bus:Take Bus No. 15, 32, 43, 45, 201, 215, 218, 221, 222, 251, 252, 286, 300, 604, 611, 618, or 622 to Bell Tower West Station. Walk towards and around the Drum Tower and enter Beiyuanmen Street from the north of the tower.
Xi'an Bus / Metro Search
| Admission Fee | Free |
| Opening Hours | Muslim Quarter is open whole day, but stores in the quarter usually open approximately between 08:00 and 23:00. |
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- Last updated on Jul. 31, 2025 by Alex Jin -