Xi'an Muslim Street
Stepping westward about 100 meters from the Bell Tower, the center of the Xian City, and pass the Drum Tower, you will see the Muslim Street. As the starting point of the famous Silk Road, Xian attracted thousands of traders from West since 1st century BC. The ancestors of these Muslims came here to go into business, learning exchange and be officials. They dwelled in Xian generations with Han people harmoniously and it has been Muslim quarter where more than sixty thousand Muslims (also calls Hui people) live.
There are ten mosques of different size lying in this block, around which tens of thousands of Hui people live, keeping their religious tradition and original habits and customs. The reputed snack street of the ancient city, the existing China's earliest Great Mosque as well as one of the three biggest Old City God's Temple of China, Xian Old City God's Temple are all located in this area. With multiple ethnic groups living here, the Muslim Street has a kind of diversified cultural atmosphere and unique historical background.
This street is paved with dark colored stone with green trees providing heavy shade during summer; the buildings on both sides of the street are modeled on the styles of both the Ming and the Qing Dynasties. Some of the constructions are restaurants; while others are stores. But here there is one thing in common: the owners are all Muslims. The stores sell almost all things you can expect. Some of them are mainly selling small items of aircrafts. If you are good at bargaining, you can get some things at a really cheap price. Variety of Muslim food and snacks can be tried in the restaurants, including the locals' favorite ones, roasted beef, roasted fish, and pancakes. Food served is diverse, complex but are very cheap.
If you come here in the evening or at night, you will find that this street is rather prosperous, bustling with noise and excitement. Many visitors and residents would like to come here at night to eat the roast meat. Thus the whole street looks rather bright in the dark as if it has caught fire. The night market should not be missed for you.
