It was roughly my second week in China and I was scheduled to fly to Xi’an for work training. The whole trip was very abrupt, but I took it as it came. Visiting a new city gave me a chance to see more of the country, and Xi’an was already on my radar.
If you’ve heard anything about Xi’an, you’ll likely know it’s an ancient city with a unique and expansive history and culture. It’s a city I highly recommend to anyone who plans to come to China to visit, especially Muslims. The history of Islam and Muslims in China has been around for about 1,400 years. It’s noted that Islam was introduced to China on two accounts: from the southeast to Canton and northwest through the Silk Road. Xi’an, the first to have experienced a Muslim presence is a reflection of that long-standing and remarkable history.
I stayed in Xi’an for 4 days. The days I had the spare time to do some sightseeing I did my best to make the most of it. I saw the one particular place I was eager to see, and as for the rest, we’ll leave that for next time.
Here’s a quick itinerary of some of the things you can add to your to-do list in Xi’an. Enjoy!
About Xi’an
To get started, here are some quick facts about Xi’an.
- Xi’an was the capital city of 13 imperial dynasties and is often referred to as the birthplace of Chinese civilization.
- Located in north-central China, it is the capital of Shaanxi Province and the eastern end of the Silk Road.
- Xi’an is a popular destination among locals and foreign tourists and is known for its many historical monuments, ancient ruins, and tombs.
- Xi’an was the first city in China to be introduced to Islam during the Tang dynasty in 651 AD.
- The Great Mosque of Xi’an built in 742 AD during the Ming dynasty is located in the Muslim Quarter of the city and is the largest mosque in China (12,000 square meters).
Where to stay – Hanting Hotel
I stayed at the Hanting Hotel branch located on 1st Goaxin Road. If you’ve ever traveled within China, or are looking to visit, there are many hotels that don’t accommodate non-Chinese nationals. It’s less of an issue in larger cities, although it’s still possible to come across hotels that aren’t licensed to host foreigners.
Hanting Hotel is one of the many hotels in China where foreign nationals can book their stay hassle-free. Their service is consistent and reputable, prices are affordable, and overall their hotel interior is kept very modern and clean.
This particular hotel location is also in close proximity to the metro, along with bus and taxi services easily accessible on the main road.
How to get around
Transportation in Xi’an is plenty. The most convenient way to get around is by subway, with bus lines and taxis also being accessible and very affordable.
If you’re ever looking to travel far within the city, long-distance buses are accessible via pickup stations in designated areas. There are also three railway stations in Xi’an and each has a specific purpose and route.
More information on how to get to and around Xi’an can be found here.
What to do
Xi’an has a plethora of things to do, but as you know my time in the city was very limited. Everything I did was in close proximity to where I was staying and easily accessible either by foot or by subway.
Night walks around the city
One of my favorite things to do in a new city. You can really get a feel of where you are when you explore a city at night. The vibrancy, how safe it is, and overall how people enjoy their evening after a long day of work.
In China, the evenings are always a time to get together with friends and family, enjoy street food, watch older folks dance at the square, and so much more. And here in Xi’an, that’s exactly how I enjoyed my evenings with a couple of friends to accompany me.
Sing your heart out in karaoke
My very first karaoke experience in China and I sang my heart out. Who knew karaoke was taken this seriously in China? For the record, I didn’t.
It was myself and a couple of teachers from training who decided on having a karaoke night. When we entered the karaoke bar it was a completely fancy decorated hall, and to my amazement, this is all very normal.
We were escorted to the mini snack store where we chose the snacks and drinks we wanted. We were then taken to our designated room where we spent 3 hours. I sang and danced my heart out and it felt so good to release all that energy.
Visit the Beiyuanmen Muslim Street
Everyone who visits Xi’an knows not to miss the Huimin Street or Muslim Quarter. It’s a historic Muslim market that dates over 1,000 years. It’s a cultural hub for the Muslim community and where most of the population resides in the city.
As mentioned, it was during the Tang dynasty where Muslim merchants, students, and travelers from Arabia, Persia, and Central Asia made their way via the Silk Road, and to the ancient city. Intermarrying with the local residents, the Hui people emerged – a Chinese Muslim ethnic minority.
On this vibrant street, you’ll find restaurants and stalls selling everything from sweets, to savory snacks, artifacts, souvenirs, and more. Some of the known delicacies are steamed soup dumplings, beef, and lamb stuffed in bread, meat skewers, cakes, dried fruits, and candies.
There are ancient architectural buildings retained from the Tang and Ming dynasties, which shows the dynamic history of the area. These structures are the Hanguang Gate, Xicheng Gate Tower Cluster, the City God Temple (Taoist temple), and the Grand Mosque.
Visit the Great Mosque of Xi’an
Of course, I had to save the best for last. On my last day in Xi’an, I returned to the Muslim Quarter to visit the Grand Mosque, also known as the Huajue Mosque in Chinese.
The mosque is the largest in China and houses more than 20 buildings in its 5 courtyards. It was first initially built during the Tang Dynasty in the 8th century, however, the current structure of the mosque that stands today dates back to the Ming Dynasty, which was in the 14th century. Like many mosques in China, there is a combination of traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic components.
Entrance is granted to all who look to visit the mosque, although the prayer spaces are strictly for worshippers. Seeing how much of a tourist attraction the mosque is, and yet the local Muslim population does not allow that to take away from its sacredness, gives me a greater appreciation. In return, the space is treated with so much humility by all who step foot and it exudes divinity for its true purpose.
I share a personal story with this particular mosque, and it’s one that continues to amaze me to this day. My interest in Xi’an actually began during my senior year of high school in my drawing and painting class. While searching for different Islamic architecture to paint, I came across Chinese Islamic architecture and specifically the Great Mosque of Xi’an. I was completely in love. It gave me so much happiness to learn and see how expansive Islamic architecture really is. Fast forward 5 years later, who knew I’d end up living in the same country or even visiting the painting I once drew.
My takeaway
- Life is unpredictable yet everything that happens is in alignment with where we need to be.
