A thriving Muslim quarter in central China's Xi'an...

Thriving Muslim quarter in Xi'an (西安市), capital of Shaanxi province with more than 60,000 inhabitants of whom more than half are Hui Muslims. The quarter is close to the famous Drum and Bell Towers and can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) when Muslim merchants settled in Xi'an, having traveled the ancient Silk Road.

The first mosque in the quarter, the Great Mosque was first built in 742, and expanded to its current size in 1384.

Today the Xi'an muslim quarter is one of the major sites in Xi'an visited by tourists, especially for its typical foods of which some are dating back hundreds of years or even to the Tang Dynasty.

Lamb broth with schredded bread (羊肉泡馍); roujiamo (肉夹馍), sometimes called the Chinese hamburger (肉夹馍); biang biang noodles (油泼扯面), hand-pulled thick and flat noodles; meat or squid skewers (烤肉串), grilled meat skewers topped with cumin, chili and other spices; and pomegranate juice are just some of the famous delicacies. Lots of sweet delicacies and cakes can be bought along the roads and alleys.

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