The Great Mosque of Xi’an

There’s one thing you’ll discover on your visit to the Great Mosque of Xi’an, namely that it has been named appropriately. The oldest and largest Islamic mosque in the country, the Great Mosque is a walled complex of five courtyards. Many of the walls feature beautiful depictions of plants, birds, objects and text, in both Arabic and Chinese, while the gardens offer a tranquil place of meditation for visitors and worshippers alike. Once in the courtyard, it is hard to believe that just beyond the mosque’s walls is non-stop inner-city Xi’an, so be sure to make the most of your reprieve here by taking some quiet time for meditation before relaunching your travel adventure.