Xi’an Food Tour: Night Walk with Culinary Delights

Xi’an, the millennial ancient capital, is like a thick history book, with every page filled with intriguing stories. And the food here is just as lively as the characters in the book, vividly depicting the local culture and customs. Can’t wait to soak in the rich aroma wafting through the bustling streets or the time-honored eateries? Now let this wondrous 2-to-3-hour night food tour commence!

At around 18:00, meet your private guide, who is also an expert of local delicacies, at the Bell Tower Hotel in the city center, and receive a cordial greeting and a brief explanation of the following itinerary.

► How to Get to the Meeting Point:
Take a taxi or Metro Line 2 or Line 6 from a station near your hotel to the Zhonglou Station and come out of the Exit C, and you’ll reach the Bell Tower Hotel. If it’s troublesome for you, you can also contact us in advance to provide you with a hotel pick-up and drop-off service for an extra charge.

First, the guide will take you through the underground passage to the Bell and Drum Towers Square opposite. Here, get a good sight of these two ancient city landmarks. The Bell Tower, with its four-cornered triple eaves gradually shrinking into a pyramidal roof, gives a sense of ancient simplicity and artistic elegance. And the vermilion gate and the glazed tile roof of the Drum Tower complement each other beautifully, providing an excellent backdrop for your photos. They were the guidelines for the daily routine of ancient Xi’an. The bell would ring at dawn, informing the people that a new day had begun, while the drum was beaten at dusk, reminding people to close the city gates and rest. Nowadays, there are energetic young people dancing to the dynamic music on the square and live-streaming with their mobile phones propped up on stands, allowing you to feel the harmonious resonance between history and modernity.Next, follow your guide into the bustling Muslim Quarter, which is the absolute core area for authentic local food. As you stroll through the lively crowds, the air fills with the inviting scents of halal cuisine and the energetic hawking of the vendors. Your guide will share the origin and ingredients of each dish, helping you choose your favorite snacks to try. Moving on into some back alleys, your expert guide will reveal a local secret, Sajinqiao Food Street, which is less known to foreigners. The street’s name, meaning ‘bridge scattered with gold’, dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), when Emperor Xuanzong once threw gold onto a bridge here to reward his officials. While the bridge has long gone, Sajinqiao has become a cherished gathering spot for local gourmets seeking time-honored delicacies.

Among the many tempting delicacies, which ones are worth trying? We have a few recommendations based on our previous guests’ feedback – the Chinese Hamburger, with its juicy minced beef sandwiched into a baked bun, the sour and spicy Cold Noodles that instantly stimulate your taste buds, and Pan-fried Dumplings with rich fillings and crispy bottom crust. Do not miss the Biangbiang Noodles as wide as a belt. Interestingly, ‘Biang’ is the sound made during the process of hand-pulling noodles, and you’ll surely marvel at how complex its Chinese character writing is when your guide shows it to you. Be careful when trying dishes served piping hot, such as the Soup Buns, Hot and Sour Dumplings, Crumbled Bread in Mutton/Beef Stew (beef option is a local favorite), as well as the ubiquitous grilled kebabs. For desserts, apart from the most representative Glutinous Rice with Jujube, the tasty Mung Bean Cake, Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Honey, and Persimmon Cake are worth trying as well. Of course, there are also native beverages such as plum juice, pomegranate juice, and Ice Peak orange soda to help you relieve the greasiness. Note that most of the eats in Xi’an are high in calories and carbohydrates, which can easily make you feel full, and thus we kindly suggest that you order a small amount each time to enjoy more varieties.

At this point, your private Xi’an food tour comes to an end, and the guide will accompany you back to the Bell Tower Hotel, or leave you at the nearest metro station and show you the way back to your hotel. Hope you spent a wonderful night with us!► For Your Information:
The tour concludes between 20:00 and 21:00, while the Muslim area’s nightlife is still in full swing. If you’d like to continue exploring on your own, consider visiting the Gao Family Compound to see its 400-year-old traditional Chinese architecture with diverse carvings. Also, appreciate the stunning night views of the illuminated Bell Tower and Drum Tower. Please note that the famous Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter is closed at night, and you can visit it the next day if you like.

► Don’t you want to miss other celebrated sights in Xi’an, such as the Terracotta Army Museum, City Wall, and Giant Wild Goose Pagoda? Check out our classic day tours or 3 to 4 days’ plans, or feel free to contact us for a Xi’an trip tailored to your interests.