Muslim Market

The Muslim Market in Xi'an, China is home to some of the best food and funnest shopping in the city. My friend Meghan and I went to the market and had a blast exploring for several hours and only got half way through the market.
I bought a beautiful quilt called a "wu du bai" quilt. It means five poisons. Five animals or insects, a scorpion, spider, lizard, centipede and snake are sown onto the quilt. They are believed to protect the child owner from evil spirits.
Men make peanut candy at many shops. They have to pound the candy with heavy mallets. I have always wanted to try it, so some nice men let me. The mallet was so heavy. I only did it for a few minutes but my arms were sore for much of the day.
The market sells everything from mugs, key chains, scarves, chop sticks, art, to candy, squid, fried bananas, herbal medicine and so much more.
Muslim street is a fun way to experience the hustle and bustle of Xi'an.

Making peanut candy

                                                      People live in apartments above the
                                                      market.

Hard tack candy shaped like animals.

You put the dried stuff in the boxes in water

and it hydrates into the plant below. It is 

supposed to bloom for three weeks. 

There are many halal butchers. This man had

goat head for sale.

For $1.50 USD this man would craft caramel

into an animal. I made a video you can

watch. 

Potatoes (like french fries) and fried squid.

Spicy tofu and fried bananas. 

Back alley

My wu du bai quilt.