Xi’an is a city of seven million people, famed as the Gateway to the Silk Road and for the nearby Terracotta Warriors, an unmissable World Heritage site. But its history as a trading centre which welcomed people from across the world is reflected in the wide range of street food on offer. If you’re looking for something to tempt your taste buds you have to visit the Muslim Quarter, close to the Drum Tower in the city centre. Muslim Quarter Snack Street is a delight for the senses and a photographer’s dream. Let me take you on a little photo tour so you can see why you have to visit if you’re in Xi’an!

Although there are smaller backstreets to explore, the street food here is on offer on the wide tree-lined pedestrian street at the heart of the Muslim Quarter. Muslim traders first came to Xi’an during the Tang dynasty and settled in the area north of the Drum Tower.

All the cooking is done out on the street which makes great street theatre. Fresh dough for bread is pounded on marble tables; hand-thrown noodles tossed into giant pans of boiling water and scorpions roasted on sticks. If you have more of a sweet tooth, candied nuts, ice cream and fresh fruit is on offer.