The Muslim Quarter of Xi’an
Xi’an was one of the four great ancient capitals of China and is considered to be the starting point of the Silk Road, or the end point if you were coming from the west.
In the 1st century BCE, it was called Chang’an, meaning ‘western peace’ and it was one of the largest and most populous cities in the world.
It attracted people from all over China and those living beyond its borders. Many Muslims travelled eastwards and ended up settling in Xi’an creating the Muslim Quarter, seen here. This area contains numerous eateries and is visited by both locals and tourists alike.
It is also home to the Great Mosque of Xi’an, the oldest and largest mosque in China. It dates back to 742 CE which is extraordinary given Islam was only established about 110 years earlier in Arabia, several thousand kilometres away. There are some photos of the mosque below.
