Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street) is the city’s most iconic food and cultural destination. Far more than just a single street, this sprawling historic district encompasses Beiyuanmen, Xiyangshi, Dapiyuan, Huajue Lane and Sajinqiao, forming the vibrant heart of Xi’an’s Hui Muslim community. With its maze of bustling alleys, centuries-old mosques and irresistible halal cuisine, it’s the best place to sample authentic local flavors like yangrou paomo and roujiamo while experiencing Hui traditions.
Xi’an Muslim Quarter Facts
- Chinese Name: 回名街huí mín jiē
- Location: Behind the Drum Tower in the center of Xian, Beilin District
- Type: Food street, Muslim cultural quarter
- History: Since the late 1990s
- Best Seasons: All year round
- Recommended Visiting Time: 2-3 hours
- Opening hours: all-day (stores usually open at 08:00-23:00)
- Tickets: free
History of Muslim Street
This historic neighborhood traces its roots to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), when Arab and Persian merchants settled here via the Silk Road, becoming known as the Hui people. During the Ming Dynasty, it developed into a flourishing Muslim community organized around “7 mosques and 13 lanes.” Despite challenges including the 19th-century Hui uprising, the quarter endured. In 1993, it was revitalized as a heritage tourism zone featuring traditional architecture. Today, it serves as a vibrant cultural landmark where Silk Road history, Islamic traditions, and Shaanxi’s renowned cuisine come together, sustained by its 20,000 Hui residents.
Things to Do in Xi’an Muslim Quarter
Appreciate the Featured Muslim Buildings
This exotic neighborhood blends Islamic influences with traditional Chinese architecture, creating a unique streetscape. The buildings feature Ming and Qing dynasty styles with upturned eaves, red walls, and gray tiles, while Arabic calligraphy adorns shop signs. Dark stone-paved streets wind between these hybrid structures – some housing halal restaurants, others selling Hui crafts and clothing. The distinct architectural fusion creates an exotic yet authentically Chinese atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the city.
Visit the Xian Great Mosque
The neighborhood features 10 historic mosques showcasing unique Sino-Islamic architecture. The most remarkable is the Great Mosque on Huajue Lane – one of Xi’an’s oldest, originally built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Its stunning courtyards blend traditional Chinese elements like glazed tile roofs (mostly black) with Islamic prayer halls. Repeatedly expanded through Ming and Qing dynasties, it represents a perfect harmony of Chinese palace-style architecture and Muslim religious spaces. A must-see for architecture lovers and Muslim visitors alike.
Beyond the mosques, the Muslim Quarter offers cultural gems like the 300-year-old Gao’s Grand Courtyard and Xi’an City God Temple.
Taste Popular Muslim Dishes & Cuisines
Muslim Street is a very famous snack street in Xi’an and a must-visit place for every food lover. Whether it is local residents or foreign tourists, it is a great choice to taste halal food. Below are some typical Xian street food you should try:
- Yangrou Paomo: Yangrou Paomo is the best food in Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter. This iconic dish features hand-torn bread soaked in rich lamb broth with tender meat, representing the perfect blend of Hui Muslim and Shaanxi culinary traditions. The best restaurants for this dish are on North Guangji Street, such as Lao Mi Jia and Lao Liu Jia.
- Soup Dumplings: Don’t miss the best soup dumplings in Xi’an at Jiasan Soup Dumpling – the most famous and top-rated spot in the Muslim Quarter! These delicate steamed buns feature paper-thin wrappers filled with juicy rib meat and rich bone broth. Take a small bite first to savor the hot, flavorful soup inside (be careful – it’s deliciously hot!). With two convenient locations near the Drum Tower and Xiyangshi Street, Jia San’s master chefs have perfected this mouthwatering specialty.
- Roujiamo: No food journey through Xi’an is complete without trying roujiamo – the city’s iconic “Chinese burger” featuring spiced braised meat in a golden baked bun. For the ultimate version, locals swear by Lao Ma Family’s version, where generations-old curing techniques create exceptionally flavorful beef fillings wrapped in perfectly crisp buns. This Muslim Quarter staple beautifully represents Xi’an’s rich halal food heritage.
- Beef Balls Spicy Soup: Spicy soup is a must-have for Xi’an people’s breakfast, loved for its unique taste and rich ingredients. This hearty halal dish features chewy beef balls and fresh vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower in a thick, warming broth. The experience is perfected with a final drizzle of aromatic chili oil that adds a delightful tingling spice.
The street also offers numerous other snacks such as marinated cold bean jelly (luzhi liangfen), jujube rice cake (zeng gao), persimmon cakes, clay pot dishes, and various noodle dishes – all delivering authentic local flavors.
Shopping in Xi’an Muslim Quarter
Beyond the famous foods, the Muslim Quarter also offers shops selling Hui ethnic handicrafts, dried fruits, spices, traditional pastries and travel souvenirs. While the main Beiyuanmen Street has overpriced commercial stalls, we recommend exploring the smaller alleys of Xiyangshi, Dapiyuan and Huajue Lane for better deals. When buying pastries, choose shops that offer free samples to taste first.
Best Time to Visit Muslim Street
The best visiting hours are undoubtedly from late afternoon through evening (5pm-10pm). This golden window offers the perfect balance – you’ll experience the vibrant night market atmosphere while avoiding the worst daytime crowds. The lantern-lit streets create magical photo opportunities as food vendors serve sizzling snacks.
For alternative experiences:
- Morning visitors (7-9am) can observe authentic local breakfast culture
- Afternoon hours (2-4pm) offer relaxed shopping with fewer tourists
- Weekdays provide significantly better experience than weekends
Special notes:
- Some historic restaurants host cultural performances in the evening
- The illuminated Bell Tower makes a perfect nightcap to your visit
- While most stalls close by 10pm, limited late-night options exist in Dapiyuan and Sajinqiao alleys
Tips to Visit Muslim Quarter
- Since Huimin Street is a gathering place for Hui people, please respect local Islamic customs. For example, do not bring pork-filled roujiamo into Islamic restaurants, and do not wear shorts or short skirts when visiting mosques.
- Enter the main street of Beiyuanmen from the Drum Tower entrance and start your food journey; if there are many people, go to the alleys such as Xiyangshi and Dapiyuan, where the food is authentic and the prices are affordable.
- Try to bargain when buying handicrafts or tourist souvenirs, as the marked price is usually higher than the final price.
- While the main streets are lively at night, some narrow alleys like Huajue Lane and Xiaoxuexi Lane lack street lighting. We strongly advise against walking alone in these areas after dark due to limited visibility and potential safety concerns. For evening visits, stick to well-lit main roads like Beiyuanmen or explore with a group.
- We recommend choosing hotels or guesthouses near the Bell Tower/Drum Tower area for their convenient transportation access, quieter environment, and enhanced safety. Staying directly in the Muslim Quarter is not advised. You can easily book these accommodations on trip.com.
How to Get to the Muslim Quarter
By Metro
Take Exit C from Line 2/6 and enter the underground circular passageway. Follow signs for Exit 9 – this leads directly to Beiyuanmen, the main entrance of the Muslim Quarter (300m walk).
By Bus
Take bus No. 15, 32, 43, 45, 201, 215, 221, 222, 251, 252, 286, 300, 612, 618 or Tourist Line 8 (No. 610) and get off at Zhonglou Xi (Bell Tower West) Station. Walk towards the Drum Tower and you will easily find the street behind the Drum Tower.
Dang-dang Trolley Sightseeing Bus
Take the Dang-dang Sightseeing Trolley food line to easily reach Xi’an’s famous Muslim Quarter.