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    Muslim Delicacies at Hui Block in Xi'an

    Written by: Yan Ziyun
    Posted on: October 19, 2016 | | 中文

    Hui Block in Xi'an

    Xi’an City is famous not only for its long history and outstanding local culture, but also its delicious local food. From the varieties of Xi’an food, Muslim delicacies at Hui Block are always a great attraction for tourists at home and abroad.

    The Chinese word (“fang”), meaning “block” or “street”, refers to an area or street in ancient Chinese cities, and it is said that the use of  originated in the early Tang Dynasty (618-907 BC). As the starting place of the ancient Silk Road, Chang’an City then accommodated Muslims from West and Central Asia. As more and more Muslims came to the city, Islam began to spread in China. For the convenience of their religious practice, Muslims lived around the mosques, and Muslim blocks (fang) were gradually formed around each mosque. And later on, the Chinese Muslim community – Hui People – developed. So the Muslim blocks where Hui people lived and did business were called, also known as “Hui blocks”. From this, it is clear that “Hui Fang” in Xi’an dates back more than 1,000 years. With the passage of time, “Hui Fang” of Xi’an developed into a prosperous area in the city and finally became a special and famous block with its Islamic culture and Muslim food in particular. Now “Hui Fang” in Xi’an covers a large area behind the famous Xi’an Bell and Drum Tower, comprising Beiguangji Street, Beiyuanmen Street, Xiyang Street, Dapiyuan Street, Huajuesi Lane and Jiujinqiao Street.

    Muslim Delicacies at Hui Block in Xian
     

    Walking more than 100 meters westwards downtown and after passing a gate of Xi’an Bell and Drum Tower, one enters into Hui Block, which is a famous national heritage site now. The famous Beiyuanmen “Cuisine Street”, Grand Huajue Mosque at Huajue Lane, which is said to be one of the earliest mosques in China and Xi’an Town God’s temple, one of China’s top three town gods temples are facing to him one after another. In Hui Block, there are 10 temples or mosques of various sizes which were built in different years of its history. Many ethnic groups, nationalities, with Hui and Han as the major ones, live in the Block. So it is a block with diverse cultural atmosphere and distinctive historical value. Walking inside Hui Block, one sees various types of shops and restaurants whose buildings combine traditional Chinese and Islamic architectural style. At the shops, one sees traditional ethnic dresses and handicrafts, while in the restaurants, one enjoys Muslim delicacies. What is unique is that there are more than 40 ancient trees. From the block, one can see the Bell and Drum Tower not afar through the branches of the trees!

    Muslim restaurants and food stands are everywhere in Hui Block, one after the other; they are almost too many to choose from. Some are with time-honored brands, such as Ping Family Roast, Jiasan steamed dumplings which are filled with minced lamb meat and gravy, Xibei Building Snack and Jin family Casserole. When visitors are attracted to the famous delicacies at Beiyuanmen Street, they always regret that they do not have bigger stomachs to enjoy the rich and delicious food here.

    Muslim Delicacies at Hui Block in Xian
     

    Baked Pancake Soaked in Lamb Soup is typical of Xi’an Hui delicacy. Cooked carefully with rich seasoning, the meat is soft, fat but not greasy, and nutritious. It is a favorite among people in Xi’an and northwest China, and they say this food warms one’s stomach and is hunger-resistant. Bai Family Baked Pancake Soaked in Lamb Soup at Dapiyuan Street has long enjoyed a good reputation.

    Then one walks several steps and comes to a restaurant that serves “Hulatang”, a chili soup with pepper. The cooking process is complex: first, the cook stews cabbage, carrots and diced meat in the shape of tofu, and then puts different seasonings and continues to stew the soup. Although it is salty and chilly on the first try, it becomes tastier with every bite, and the aftertaste lasts long.

    Muslim Delicacies at Hui Block in Xian
     

    There is also “Ding Family Beef Soup”, which is made of tender beef in a small pot. With both beef and soup, it is a good match for rice. Walking in the Block, one can enjoy sweet Osmanthus cake, sesame cold noodle, and appetizing hawthorn fruit porridge mixed with Chinese red date, lily and glutinous rice, as well as hawthorn fruit cakes. There is so much variety that you will never need to eat the same food a second time, even if you stay here for a whole week.

    Hui Block is one of the main tourist destinations in Xi’an, and no one misses it when they are travelling in the city. Many tourists come here again after their first tour of the Block.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021