Great Mosque Xi'an China

We visited the Muslim Quarter in Xi'an. The mosque is 1,000 years old. About 1% of the local population is Muslim (which is the same percentage nationwide), a result of the Silk Road merchants who stayed behind in Xi'an and married Chinese women. The Silk Road actually began in Xi'an.

Interestingly, while in the States we are used to Muslims praying to Mecca in the east, here they must face the west in order to pray to Mecca.

The girl in the silver headdress is a member of the Miao (pronounced "Meow") minority group. It is customary for girls to wear these headdresses, which are very heavy, on a daily basis.

- Peggy