Cycling to the Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque and the Ancient City Wall

A Journey Through Xi'an's Multicultural Legacy

Xi'an, once the cosmopolitan heart of the Silk Road, is a city where layers of history converge. This half-day tour immerses you in three iconic sites that embody its cultural, religious, and historical identity: the Muslim Quarter， the Great Mosque of Xi'an, and the Ancient City Wall. Together, they tell a story of trade, faith, and resilience spanning over a millennium.

• Muslim Quarter: A vibrant neighborhood where Hui Muslims (China's largest Muslim ethnic group) have preserved their traditions since the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), when Arab and Persian traders first settled here along the Silk Road. Its narrow lanes are a feast for the senses—fragrant with spices, echoing with calls to prayer, and lined with century-old eateries serving halal delicacies.

• Great Mosque of Xi'an: A masterpiece of Sino-Islamic architecture, built in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) but rooted in the city's earliest Islamic history. It stands as a symbol of harmony between Chinese culture and Islamic faith, with its wooden minarets, Arabic calligraphy, and intricate tilework blending seamlessly into Xi'an's urban fabric.

• Ancient City Wall: The best-preserved city wall in China, stretching 14 km and encircling Xi'an's historic core. Built during the Ming Dynasty to defend against invasions, it remains a testament to the city's strategic importance and offers unparalleled views of how ancient and modern Xi'an coexist.

This itinerary weaves together food, faith, and history, offering a microcosm of Xi'an's soul.

Unmissable Sights & Stories

1. Muslim Quarter – Where History Tastes Delicious

• Culinary Heritage: Sample roujiamo (China's “hamburger”), a sandwich of braised pork or lamb stuffed into fluffy bread; yangrou paomo (shredded bread in mutton soup), a hearty dish dating back to the Song Dynasty; and suanla tang (spicy sour soup), a local favorite for cooling down in summer. These recipes have been passed down through Hui families for generations.

• Traditional Crafts: Browse workshops where artisans carve jade, weave silk, and craft copperware—skills brought to Xi'an by Silk Road merchants. Many shops display antiques like Ming-era porcelain and Uyghur-style textiles.

• Historic Landmarks: Spot the Gongbei Mosque (a fusion of Islamic and Chinese architecture) and the Four Mosques of the Muslim Quarter, each with unique stories of how Muslim communities adapted to Chinese culture over centuries.

2. Great Mosque of Xi'an – A Bridge of Faiths

• Architectural Fusion: The mosque's design marries Islamic elements (a mihrab niche facing Mecca, Arabic inscriptions) with Chinese motifs (upturned eaves, wooden pillars carved with dragons). Its five courtyards, spanning 12,000 sqm, are among the largest Islamic religious complexes in China.

• Religious Significance: Built in 742 CE (Tang Dynasty) and expanded in the Ming Dynasty, it has been a place of worship for Muslims for over 1,300 years. Today, it hosts daily prayers and hosts cultural exchanges between Chinese and global Muslim communities.

• Artistic Treasures: Admire the Qingxian Pavilion, a Ming-era structure with a 10m-tall marble tablet inscribed with the Quran in Arabic and Chinese characters—a rare example of bilingual Islamic art.

3. Ancient City Wall – A Living Chronicle of Xi'an

• Engineering Marvel: The wall, standing 12m tall and 18m wide at its base, was built using rammed earth, bricks, and stone. Its 98 watchtowers, 5,984 battlements, and a moat (now a green belt) made it one of the most impregnable fortresses in ancient China.

• Panoramic Views: Cycle or walk along its broad ramparts for sweeping vistas: on one side, the bustling modern city (with skyscrapers like the Xi'an International Trade Center); on the other, the tranquil Bell and Drum Towers, and the lush greenery of the city's parks.

• Historical Layers: Notice how the wall has evolved—some sections retain their original Ming-era bricks, while others were reinforced during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912). Look for markers indicating the original gates (e.g., South Gate, West Gate), which once controlled access to the city.

• Private transportation through out the itinerary. Linkedtours will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure based on your flight or train info.

• Shared accommodations in well located, tourist to superior class hotels include breakfast, service charge and government tax.

• All entrance fees(shuttle bus) sightseeing; excursions and activities as per the itinerary.

• Domestic flights and 2nd class express train listed in the itinerary.

• Private friendly and professional English-Speaking guides (French, Italy, Russian, German can be arranged per your request).

• Visa support letter for you to apply Chinese visa easily.

• Travel and health insurance when travelling with us.

• Complimentary 2 bottles of water each person on daily use.

• 8, A 24/7 helpline while you are traveling.

• A tour manager included if the number of tourists exceeds 10 people.
  

• International and domestic flights not indicated.

• Food, Lunch or dinner not specified in the itinerary.

• Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers.

• Any personal expenses and the other tours or activities not mentioned.

Transportation

We will use business MPV to luxurious coaches and Buses. High-speed trains, flights and other transportation vehicles will be used according to the neccessity of the tours.

Accommodation

All the hotels we selected are 4-5 star well-located in the city center with good and proper breakfast for our clients.

Guides

Our guides are very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful. And our group tours will be escorted from Linkedtours.

We offer beneficial Cancellation Policy to our customers.