Muslim Quarter

Before going to the Muslim quarter in Xi’an, I never before imagined that I would see so many Chinese muslims, in China of all places. It made me question assumptions more.

Don’t think about how dirty the kitchens are, just keep on eating those shishkabobs! Btw, don’t be afraid to wander off into the back alleys; it’ll be way less touristy.

Good, cheap eats, and colorful atmosphere, but I was kind of disappointed at the proliferation of touristic junk available for sale. I don’t doubt that hidden somewhere amongst the mini-terracotta warriors and peasant paintings and faux jade bracelets was some fantastic stuff, but I’m not enough of a shopper to bother trying to find it.

I particularly enjoyed the Muslim Quarter in Xian. The back alleys are filled with mosques and marketplaces tucked away in back alleys. We spent hours sifting and sorting through all kinds of treasures. The colorful diversity of the people we met and encountered gave us a true glimpse of what we think Xian is about.