Xi´an II 
The most lively neighborhood in Xi鈥檃n is here鈥攖he Muslim district.
Xi鈥檃n Muslims, identified with their unique life style and religion鈥擨slam. Locally are known as 鈥淗ui鈥 minority. They are descended from the Arab and Iranian traders who were active along the Silk Road, living reminder of Xian's former busy street scene as the center of commerce.
Their lifestyle has also influenced the rest of the citizen. As the matter of fact, the trade mark cuisine from Xi鈥檃n is known as 鈥渓amb bread鈥 originally a Muslim dish.
Two of my Dutch fellow travelers found the idea of 鈥渄ipping the bread into a mutton soap鈥 not very appealing. But I managed to convince them to be open- minded about it and have a try!
The point of this dish is it is half- self 鈥 serving. The bread is just an ingrediance of the dish but a very important one, therefore, the most time- consuming part in preparation.
Don鈥檛 know how tasteful a piece of bread can be, I am sure at least it serves a social function鈥攚hile you breaking it into small pieces, you break the ice with your fellow dinners.
The name of this dish 鈥渕utton soup dipped bread鈥 should not be taken literally. The bread is actually stir-fried with vegetable, rice noodles and lamb or beef sauce afterwards catering to your own preference.
The great mosque, the center of Xi鈥檃n Muslims spiritual life is tugged away at a quiet corner of the busy street.
It was originally built in the Tang Dynasty. Tang people were known for their sophisticated understanding of the outside world and a great confidence in adapting and assimilating foreign ideas into Chinese contexts. The grand mosque architecture clearly embodies both Chinese and Islamic features.
As for night entertainment, there are 2 options in Xi鈥檃n for a tourist鈥攕eeing the history play alive and seeing the history playing alive in another way.
There are Tang style dance shows performed by local dancers, and these, shadow puppet show. If you go for authentically traditional, it is a better choice.
Did you enjoy our special trip to xi an as much as I did? I certainly hope so. One of deeply rooted believes in china is 鈥 history is a reflection mirror, it tells us where we came from and guide us to move on. To understand china, you have to come to xi an! Stay warm, I see you next time!
Editor:Chen Source:CCTV.com
