What should I eat in the Bell Tower restaurant district?

This cluster of old-brand restaurants serves Xi'an's signature dishes in a calmer setting than the Muslim Quarter. Try Defachang's dumpling banquet, with dozens of shapes served like Chinese tapas; Laosunjia's paomo, a lamb soup where you tear the flatbread yourself; and Wangji's rougamo, the original Xi'an 'Chinese hamburger.' Biang biang noodles round out a classic Shaanxi spread.

Is this area better than the Muslim Quarter for food?

It depends on your mood. The Bell Tower restaurants are the sit-down, foreigner-friendly option, with English menus, table service and card payment. The Muslim Quarter is louder, cheaper street food eaten standing or walking. Many visitors do both: snacks in the Muslim Quarter, then a proper meal at one of these century-old brands nearby.

When is the best time to eat here to avoid queues?

Aim for lunch around 11:30 AM or dinner near 6 PM, slightly ahead of the local rush. Wangji rougamo in particular draws long lines, sometimes around the block at peak hours. Most restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard and offer QR-code English menus, so no advance booking is needed for a table.

Bell Tower Hui Restaurant District, Xi'an: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Restaurants around Bell Tower serving Shaanxi classics — Laosunjia paomo, Defachang dumpling banquet, Wangji rougamo.

At a glance

What it is: Food
Also known as: 钟楼小吃集中区 (Zhōnglóu Xiǎochī Jízhōng Qū)
Opening hours: 11 AM – 10 PM
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit: Lunch 11:30 AM or dinner 6 PM off-peak
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: English tours available
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Walk-in — no booking · tickets & prices →
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: Bell Tower vicinity, Xi’an · 钟楼周边

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Bell Tower Hui Restaurant District map & getting there

Map of Bell Tower Hui Restaurant District (钟楼小吃集中区) in Xi'an — nearby streets and metro stations

Amap (in China)Open in Google Maps Apple Maps Interactive Xi'an map →

Taxi / DiDi? Show the driver: 钟楼周边 · Bell Tower vicinity, Xi’an

The Bell Tower area concentrates Xi’an’s most famous old-restaurant brands — these are the foreigner-friendly upscale-Shaanxi option vs. the chaotic Muslim Quarter street food. Old-Brand picks: (1) Defachang Dumpling Banquet (200 years old, 30+ dumpling shapes presented like Chinese tapas, ¥180-300 set menu), (2) Laosunjia Beef Noodles (paomo specialist, ¥40-60 a bowl), (3) Wangji Rougamo (the original Xi’an ‘Chinese hamburger’ — ¥10 per piece, lines around the block), (4) Ying Ying biang biang noodle. Best lunch 11:30 AM or dinner 6 PM. Most accept credit cards; English menus typically available with QR-code translation.

Highlights

Defachang Dumpling Banquet30+ shape varieties; ¥180-300 set
Wangji RougamoOriginal Xi’an ‘Chinese hamburger’; ¥10/piece, queue 30 min
Laosunjia PaomoTear-the-bread-yourself lamb soup; ¥40-60

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

Eat the Wangji rougamo first; its queue only grows through the evening, so hit it before 6 PM.
Order Laosunjia paomo and tear the bread small yourself; the soup soaks tiny pieces far better.
Defachang’s dumpling banquet is a set menu; go with a group so you taste the full range.
Scan the table QR code for the English menu instead of asking; most staff expect this now.
This district is the quieter alternative to the Muslim Quarter, not a replacement; do both in one evening.
Bell Tower metro station sits right here, so you can walk off the meal then ride out easily.
Skip dessert here and grab persimmon cakes from a Muslim Quarter stall two minutes north instead.

Photos

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Frequently asked questions about Bell Tower Hui Restaurant District

What should I eat in the Bell Tower restaurant district?: This cluster of old-brand restaurants serves Xi’an’s signature dishes in a calmer setting than the Muslim Quarter. Try Defachang’s dumpling banquet, with dozens of shapes served like Chinese tapas; Laosunjia’s paomo, a lamb soup where you tear the flatbread yourself; and Wangji’s rougamo, the original Xi’an ‘Chinese hamburger.’ Biang biang noodles round out a classic Shaanxi spread.
Is this area better than the Muslim Quarter for food?: It depends on your mood. The Bell Tower restaurants are the sit-down, foreigner-friendly option, with English menus, table service and card payment. The Muslim Quarter is louder, cheaper street food eaten standing or walking. Many visitors do both: snacks in the Muslim Quarter, then a proper meal at one of these century-old brands nearby.
When is the best time to eat here to avoid queues?: Aim for lunch around 11:30 AM or dinner near 6 PM, slightly ahead of the local rush. Wangji rougamo in particular draws long lines, sometimes around the block at peak hours. Most restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard and offer QR-code English menus, so no advance booking is needed for a table.