Muslim Street, Xian (must see)

The street from the Drum Tower to Beiyuan Gate in Xian is referred to as the Muslim Street. It is a shopping street with shops selling products and restaurants serving dishes with an Islamic flavor.

Muslim Street is the area where the muslins live in Xian. It is 500 meters long and paved with black stones. The buildings that flank the street retain the old architecture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The area has ten mosques of different sizes including China’s earliest Great Mosque. The muslins came to China from central Asia through the silk route. The street offers a unique atmosphere compared to other parts of the city and adds to the cultural diversity of Xian.

The Muslim Street is frequented by locals for the many delicacies served in the restaurants. Well known dishes include bread soaked in mutton stew, pickled vegetables, sliced beef stirred with rice and small crisp mutton. The latter dish consists of mutton wrapped in starch and steamed. Black plum juice is served to visitors to wash down the rich food served by the restaurants in Muslim Street.