What is the 'shouting noodle bowl' at Yongxingfang?

It is the 摔碗酒 ritual: you pay a small amount for a tiny bowl of grain wine, drink it down, then smash the bowl on the ground while shouting. By evening the broken bowls pile up to chest height. It is the iconic Xi'an photo and video moment, and Yongxingfang is the spot most associated with it.

Is Yongxingfang better than the Muslim Quarter for food?

It is calmer and more local-feeling. Yongxingfang gathers over 100 Shaanxi snack stalls in one Tang-style courtyard just inside the East Gate, and it draws more domestic tourists and locals than foreigners. The Muslim Quarter has more sprawl and Hui-Muslim specialties; Yongxingfang is the better pick if you want Shaanxi province dishes without the heaviest crowds.

What should I eat at Yongxingfang?

Hit the Shaanxi classics: liangpi cold skin noodles, rougamo (Xi'an's original 'Chinese hamburger', pulled meat in flatbread), biang biang noodles, and mung bean cake. Most items are inexpensive and served fast, so graze across several stalls rather than committing to one. Bring cash, since smaller stalls here often do not take foreign cards.

Yongxingfang Cultural Street, Xi'an: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Tang-themed food street inside the East Gate — 100+ Shaanxi snack stalls + the famous ‘shouting noodle bowl’ street performance.

At a glance

What it is: Neighborhood
Also known as: 永兴坊 (Yǒngxīng Fāng)
Opening hours: 10 AM – 11 PM
Time needed: 2 hours
Best time to visit: Evening 7-10 PM
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Some English signage
Cards accepted: Cash only
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: No public Wi-Fi
Address: Zhongshan Gate, Xincheng District, Xi’an · 新城区东新街中山门里

Yongxingfang Cultural Street map & getting there

Map of Yongxingfang Cultural Street (永兴坊) 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: 新城区东新街中山门里 · Zhongshan Gate, Xincheng District, Xi’an

Yongxingfang is a 2014-built Tang-themed food court (on the historical site of Tang dynasty Wei Zheng’s mansion) sitting just inside the East Gate of the City Wall. 100+ stalls of Shaanxi-province snacks — Liangpi cold noodles, rougamo (Chinese hamburger), biang biang noodles, mung bean cake. The big attraction is the ‘shouting noodle bowl’ (摔碗酒) street performance: ¥10 for a small bowl of grain wine; you down it then smash the bowl on the ground while shouting (the smashed bowls pile up to chest height by evening). Free entry; food ¥10-30 per item. Less hectic than the Muslim Quarter — locals + domestic tourists more than foreigners. Best 7-10 PM. 5 min taxi from East Gate.

Highlights

Shouting Noodle Bowl (摔碗酒)¥10; smash the bowl after drinking; the iconic Xi’an photo
Rougamo (肉夹馍)Original Xi’an ‘Chinese hamburger’ — pulled pork in flatbread
Less Foreigner-CrowdedLocal-favorite alternative to Muslim Quarter

What Chinese travelers actually do here

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

Come hungry and graze across many stalls; portions are small and cheap, so one dish per stall lets you try far more.
Carry cash in small notes; stalls here are largely cash-only and foreign cards rarely work at the counters.
Do the bowl-smashing ritual earlier in the evening when the pile is photogenic but the queue hasn’t built up.
Watch your footing near the smashing area; the ground stays littered with ceramic shards all night.
It is just inside the East Gate of the City Wall, so combine it with a late-afternoon wall walk before dinner.
Choose this over the Muslim Quarter if you want Shaanxi snacks with fewer foreign tour groups elbowing in.
Peak buzz is 7-10 PM; arrive near the start to eat first, then watch the crowd and performances fill in.

Photos

Show all 14 photos

Vibrant night scene at Xi'an street market with people walking and colorful signages.

View of Xi'an City Wall at sunset with bustling traffic and traditional architecture.

Bustling night market in Xi'an, Shaanxi, featuring illuminated signs and a lively crowd.

Watch creators visit Yongxingfang Cultural Street

Each clip is timestamped to the moment the creator arrives at this stop.

Xi’an China Travel Guide 🇨🇳 | Top Things to Do in Xi’an + Travel TIPS for First-Time Visitors!

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Frequently asked questions about Yongxingfang Cultural Street

What is the ‘shouting noodle bowl’ at Yongxingfang?: It is the 摔碗酒 ritual: you pay a small amount for a tiny bowl of grain wine, drink it down, then smash the bowl on the ground while shouting. By evening the broken bowls pile up to chest height. It is the iconic Xi’an photo and video moment, and Yongxingfang is the spot most associated with it.
Is Yongxingfang better than the Muslim Quarter for food?: It is calmer and more local-feeling. Yongxingfang gathers over 100 Shaanxi snack stalls in one Tang-style courtyard just inside the East Gate, and it draws more domestic tourists and locals than foreigners. The Muslim Quarter has more sprawl and Hui-Muslim specialties; Yongxingfang is the better pick if you want Shaanxi province dishes without the heaviest crowds.
What should I eat at Yongxingfang?: Hit the Shaanxi classics: liangpi cold skin noodles, rougamo (Xi’an’s original ‘Chinese hamburger’, pulled meat in flatbread), biang biang noodles, and mung bean cake. Most items are inexpensive and served fast, so graze across several stalls rather than committing to one. Bring cash, since smaller stalls here often do not take foreign cards.