The popular TV show A Bite of China has brought the flavors of Shaanxi cuisine into the spotlight. If you’re looking to sample authentic Shaanxi snacks, there’s no better place than the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an. This area is not just a single street but a collective name for several streets in the heart of Xi’an’s Muslim community, including Beiyuanmen, Beiguangji Street, Xiyangshi, and Dapiyuan.
As a historic Muslim district with a history spanning several centuries, the Muslim Quarter is a vibrant hub for local snacks. The streets are lined with a plethora of halal eateries and stalls, featuring many century-old establishments. It is said that the local residents are descendants of Persians and Arabs who arrived in Chang’an along the Silk Road during the Sui and Tang dynasties, many of whom were royal nobles. Consequently, the Muslim Quarter has a history of over a thousand years and has become a defining feature of Xi’an.
Among the many snacks available, several renowned old brands are particularly popular: Defachang (3 West Street, Bell and Drum Tower Square), Lao Sun’s (South end of Beiyuanmen), Jia San Soup Dumpling (93 Beiyuanmen, in the snack street behind Drum Tower), Chunfa Sheng (20 South Beiyuanmen), Sanyuan Lao Huang’s Xi’an Branch (5th Floor, Tianlun Shengshi, Wenyi Road), Tongshengxiang (5 West Street, Lianhu District), Jiefang Road Dumpling Restaurant (2nd Floor, Longhai Hotel, 306 Jiefang Road), and Fan Ji La Zhi Rou (53 Zhubaishi).
Travel Informaiton about Muslim Quarter
Tickets and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: Open all day
Transportation to the Scenic Area
Location: 1 West Street, Beilin District, Xi’an, Clock Tower and Drum Tower Square.
Public Transport: Take Metro Line 2 to the Bell and Drum Tower Station.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural: ★★★★★
- Characteristics: ★★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★
- Romantic: ★★★
- Exciting: ★
Highlights of Muslim Quarter
Dapiyuan
Dapiyuan (大皮院) is a street in Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter renowned for its local Muslim cuisine. Unlike the bustling Muslim Quarter, Dapiyuan offers a more focused experience on the authentic flavors of food, with fewer commercial elements and a quieter atmosphere.
This small alley is densely packed with shops, creating a vibrant and lively environment. Here, you can enjoy a bowl of “pao mo” (a traditional bread and meat soup), some crispy fried meat, and a chilled glass of sour plum soup – truly capturing the essence of Xi’an’s culinary culture. From a steaming bowl of meatball and spicy soup in the morning to grilled meat with beer late into the night, Dapiyuan is a haven for food lovers around the clock. It’s a favorite spot for long-time locals and an excellent place for visitors to experience Xi’an’s flavors.
Xiyangshi Street
Xiyangshi Street (西羊市), located between Beiyuanmen to the east and Beiguangji Street to the west, stretches over 400 meters. It is a historic street in Xi’an with a history of over 600 years, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty when it was originally known as Yangshi, primarily for the trade of sheep and mutton. The area is predominantly inhabited by Hui people, reflecting a strong Islamic cultural tradition.
Beiyuanmen
Beiyuanmen (北院门), located to the north of the Drum Tower, is famously known as the Hui Muslim Quarter. During the Tang Dynasty, Beiyuanmen was part of the imperial city. In the Qing Dynasty, the area north of the street was named “Beiyuan” (North Courtyard) in contrast to “Nanyuan” (South Courtyard), which was situated south of today’s West Street.
The area is characterized by traditional Ming and Qing architectural styles, with the Drum Tower to the south and a grand archway to the north. The street features a mix of historic mosques and ancient courtyards nestled among numerous shops and eateries.
The street is paved with bluestone and lined with trees, creating a vibrant and bustling market atmosphere. Beiyuanmen is renowned for its diverse range of specialty snacks and boutique shops. Popular local treats such as Jia San’s soup-filled buns, water basin lamb, and various grilled meats can be found here. The area is especially lively at night, with numerous food stalls complementing the already dense array of shops, offering an array of snacks like water basin lamb, mirror cakes, roujiamo (meat sandwiches), lamb paomo (lamb stew with bread), and various skewers.
Gao’s Courtyard
Gao’s Courtyard (高家大院) is the former residence of Gao Yue-song, who was a prominent figure in Qing Dynasty China. Gao Yue-song, originally from Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, achieved notable success in the imperial examination during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, being appointed as the second place scholar by the Emperor. From the Ming Chongzhen era to the Qing Tongzhi era, Gao’s family served as officials for seven generations.
The courtyard is a traditional four-in-courtyard (Siheyuan) structure made of brick and wood, with the main building dating back to the Ming Chongzhen period, making it over 400 years old. The courtyard is designed with a focus on “family” culture, and its furniture displays, traditional couplets, and brick carvings all reflect a rich historical charm. Today, the courtyard houses the Xi’an Chinese Painting Academy.
Related Details:
- The developers of the courtyard use it as a base for exploring and preserving the folk culture of the Guanzhong region. It frequently hosts activities such as shadow puppet shows, folk paper-cutting, and guzheng performances.
- During major events and festivals, staff dress in traditional costumes from the Ming or Qing Dynasties, portraying different roles to recreate specific scenes from those eras, bringing the courtyard back to a particular historical period.
Duchenghuang Temple
Duchenghuang Temple (都城隍庙, City God Temple) was originally built in the 20th year of the Hongwu reign (1387) of the Ming Dynasty, at its original site on Jiuyao Street inside the East Gate. It was relocated to its current location in the 8th year of the Xuande reign (1432). Once one of the three major city god temples in the country, it oversaw the city gods of several provinces in the northwest, hence it is known as “Xian Duchenghuang Temple” or simply “Duchenghuang Temple.”
The main gate of Duchenghuang Temple is adjacent to the grand entrance. The ornate and luxurious design features overlapping beams and brackets, with intricate carvings and paintings. On either side of the gate, two large plaques bear the gilded characters “Duchenghuang Temple” and “Have You Arrived?” written in the authentic calligraphy of Yan Zhenqing. In front of the main gate, a pair of guardian lions adds a majestic presence. The entire temple complex is meticulously arranged, grand in scale, and a masterpiece of architectural art, making it both a treasure trove of architectural beauty and a significant site of Taoist culture.