Xi’an 8 May  Moslem quarter

Lots of lamb dishes available .... poor lamby!

Moslem Street is a tourist destination and absolutely fascinating. Importantly however, it and the surrounding district is cultural important as Xi’an is home to the largest population of Moslems in China linking back to China’s ancient trade routes with the west. The ancestors of the current moslem population came to Xi’an along the Silk Road with their religion, culture, spices and distinctive food from the west - Persia, Afghanistan, etc.

Pomegranate juice 

dried meat

As you stroll along Moslem street an amazing array of strange delicacies and taste experiences are laid out you to try. From colourful balls of frozen jogurt, pomegranate juice, candy made from sweet bean paste to fried crabs and fish caught in grotesque postures on sticks, lambs and chicken feet braised in spicy sauce, strips of desiccated meat and skewers of probably lamb and other amazing ‘taste delights’. Although I would have loved to have sample some, we were on a path to the Drum and Bell Towers in the heart of the inner City, but did have a Chinese hamburger later - slow cooked beef in a fresh bread bun. The meat was fragrant but a bit fatty for my taste.

The Miao people are an ethnic group in Xi'an.  Their specialty is silver work.  Note the elaborate head dress with silver decoration. their clothing was adorned with silver also.

this was a busy bazaar.

Back in the Moslem district we ducked through a dark narrow entrance into a glittering bazaar selling all the usual souvenir things, but quite fascinating for all that. At some point along the wall to wall stalls we popped out at the oldest Mosque in China. Some of it has been rebuilt but it is a beautifully tranquil oasis in the midst of great noise, hustle and bustle - trees and gardens, with patterned stone paths leading you through numerous archways and passed stone carvings to arrive at the mosque itself. A wooden structure quite fascinating for its age - over 1000 years I think.

this structure is mainly of wood

the carving on the portico of the mosque itself was intricate.

By mid afternoon all we wanted was to have a cuppa and to get off our feet. Of course the day ended with another way too big dinner - good thing we’re doing lots of walking.