Ultimate Xinjiang Muslim Tour Travel Guide: Best Halal Food Experience

Xinjiang Samsa
Xinjiang Samsa is a traditional delicious food that is loved by the people. It has the crisp surface with juicy mutton, Xinjiang mutton is famous around the world by its fresh and less greasy than other species. Every bite could bring an unique satisfaction to your taste buds! (Remember to choose the middle sized Samsa that made out of oven! It always has the best taste!)

      Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken
Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken is one of the most famous dish in Xinjiang. The juicy fresh chicken, flavorful soft potato chunks, wide noodles with sweet and spicy sauce, composed a chewy and palatable dish jointly. It is definitely a must try food in Xinjiang for Muslim tourists!

Most of the cattle and sheep raised in Xinjiang are high-quality local breeds such as Altay sheep and black-headed sheep. Their meat is firm yet tender, with evenly distributed fat and almost no muttony odor. Grilled over charcoal right on the spot, this cooking method highlights the original, natural flavor of the ingredients—definitely worth a try!

Xinjiang Pilaf is cooked with fresh carrots, sweet onions, secretly-made mutton and Xinjiang long-grain rice, the fragrant flavor and thick taste is perfect to satisfy your empty stomach. In the hot summer, you can eat pilaf while drinking a big cup of iced carrot juice (like “神内”carrot juice), you can fully feel the exotic charm of Xinjiang—a place that once you come, you won't want to leave.

Xinjiang Laghman is a famous choice for you and also a homely dish in everyone's daily life. It represents the diversified food culture in Xinjiang, people select fresh halal beef or mutton, stir-frying with various vegetables, it has a fresh and tender meat texture, crisp outside but juicy inside, together with the pure fragrant. Provide a magic experience to your tongue.

Among various of Xinjiang food, the Xinjiang Fried Rice Noodles has the most followers and loved by many people. This classical food is the most popular dish in people's daily life. From the scent of spices to crisp cucumber, they jointly composed a perfect balance of taste, every bite could lead you to endless aftertastes. If you are planning to visit Xinjiang, please do not miss this gourmet!

Xinjiang Spicy Chicken Cold Dish is a popular food in Xinjiang. People cut the whole chicken into chunks and add spices, put some fresh vegetable accompany with the chicken. You can taste both pepper and spicy flavor in one bite. No matter eating with a bowl of hot rice or cool juice, you can fully enjoy the uniquely delicious local cuisine!

All mainstream dairy products in Xinjiang (e.g., yogurt, milk, cheese) are produced under halal standards—from cattle feeding (no non-halal additives) to processing. Unlike industrial dairy, many local products are homemade or small-batch produced (e.g., hand-stirred yogurt, fermented milk drink "kumis"), with stronger creaminess and natural sourness.

Most ethnic pastries in Xinjiang are made with natural ingredients and crafted through traditional handmade techniques, offering a rich, multi-layered texture. Common pastries such as Cream Puff Cakes (Naiyou Sushebing), Almond Cakes (Xingren Bing), and Walnut Cakes (Hetao Gao) boast a crispy outer layer and soft interior—sweet but not cloying, emitting an irresistible aroma. Take a bite, and you'll be greeted with a burst of sweetness that lingers on the palate, leaving a lasting impression.

The most popular barbecue in Kashgar is called Nan Pit Meat. A nan pit is an earthen pit heated by fire: charcoal is laid at the bottom of the pit, and skewers of meat are hung inside to roast over the fire. This special cooking method locks in the meat's juices and aroma, resulting in meat that's crispy on the outside and tender, juicy on the inside.

In northern Xinjiang, wild apricot blossoms and white crocuses bloom one after another, while the grasslands begin to turn green. On the Pamirs in southern Xinjiang, century-old apricot trees burst into full bloom along the river valleys, creating a striking contrast with the snow-capped mountains and yellow earth.

In northern Xinjiang, the grasslands are lush and green, with wildflowers in full bloom—lavender and rapeseed flowers appear in succession—while Kanas Lake shimmers under the sunlight. The Duku Highway is open, allowing you to experience all four seasons in a single day. In southern Xinjiang, the ancient city of Kashgar reveals its unique cultural charm in the summer.

(September-November)

In northern Xinjiang, places like Kanas and Hemu are ablaze with autumn colors—the birch forests turn golden, forming a breathtaking scenery with the lakes and snow-capped mountains. In southern Xinjiang, the poplar forests are cloaked in golden hues, intertwining with deserts and rivers to create a spectacular landscape.

 (December-Next Year March)

In northern Xinjiang, the Altay region becomes a snow-and-ice kingdom. Hemu Village offers picturesque snowy scenery, while Jiangjunshan Ski Resort is a paradise for powder snow lovers. Sayram Lake showcases stunning blue ice and ice crack formations. In southern Xinjiang, the ancient city of Kashgar is relatively quiet, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the local folk customs.

Yutian Rose Cultural and Tourism Festival (May)
       In this time, acres of roses are in full bloom, and visitors can participate in rose picking and handcrafting rose jam (made from pure, additive-free ingredients that meet halal requirements). You can also watch traditional Uyghur song and dance performances, such as “Maxrap”—where tourists can join locals in dancing and experience the warm and lively atmosphere.

        Tashkurgan Apricot Blossom Village Folk Experience (April)
       In this time, acres of roses are in full bloom, and visitors can participate in rose picking and handcrafting rose jam (made from pure, additive-free ingredients that meet halal requirements). You can also watch traditional Uyghur song and dance performances, such as “Maxrap”—where tourists can join locals in dancing and experience the warm and lively atmosphere.

        Kashgar International Tourism Festival (June)
       As one of Xinjiang's major cultural festivals, the event features exhibitions of Muslim ethnic groups' intangible cultural heritage—such as Uyghur wood carving and Kazakh yurt-making—along with a halal food fair showcasing delicacies like roast whole lamb and yogurt rice dumplings. In the evening, there are soulful performances of the “Twelve Muqam,” whose melodious tunes offer an immersive cultural experience.

        Nalati Grassland Kazakh Folk Custom Festival (July)
       As one of Xinjiang's most important cultural festivals, the event features exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage from Muslim ethnic groups—such as Uyghur wood carving and Kazakh yurt-making—along with a halal food fair showcasing delicacies like roast whole lamb and yogurt rice dumplings. In the evening, there are soulful performances of the “Twelve Muqam,” whose melodious tunes create a perfect atmosphere for an immersive cultural experience.

        Turpan Grape Festival
       As one of Xinjiang's major cultural festivals, the event features exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage from Muslim ethnic groups—such as Uyghur wood carving and Kazakh yurt-making—along with a halal food fair showcasing delicacies like roast whole lamb and yogurt rice dumplings. In the evening, there are soulful performances of the “Twelve Muqam,” whose melodious tunes offer an immersive cultural experience.

        Kucha Kuqa Cultural Festival (October)
       The event is organized around the culture of Qiuci (an important node on the ancient Silk Road). Visitors can explore the Qiuci Grottoes (while adhering to cultural heritage protection regulations and refraining from touching the murals), watch Uyghur “Qiuci Music and Dance” performances, and purchase halal specialty souvenirs such as Kuqa naan and handwoven carpets.

        Eid al-Adha
      As one of the most important festivals for Muslims, grand celebrations are held across Xinjiang every winter. In Kashgar's Old City, every household prepares halal delicacies such as youxiang (fried cakes) and sanzi (fried dough twists). Visitors may be invited by local Muslim families to join in the festive meals—though it's polite to ask in advance and respect their eating customs. You can also watch the “Eid al-Adha prayer” (only Muslims are allowed to participate in the prayer; visitors may quietly observe from designated areas and should not take photos without permission). During the festival, all shops and restaurants remain open, and many offer “Eid al-Adha exclusive halal set menus.” There are multiple prayer spots within the Old City for visitors' convenience.

       Yining Hui Folk Custom Winter Camp
      These are winter folk activities of the Hui ethnic group (a Muslim community). Visitors can experience “Hui paper-cutting” and the making of “halal preserved meats” (such as air-dried beef, prepared in accordance with halal slaughter standards). You can also listen to elderly Hui storytellers share historical tales of the “Hui merchant caravans on the Silk Road,” and soak in the peaceful winter atmosphere of the ancient city.

Erdaoqiao Mosque

No. 505, Heping South Road, Tianshan District

All day long throughout the year

Shaanxi Grand Mosque

No. 17, Yonghe Zheng Street, Tianshan District

8:00—18:00

Hantengri Mosque

No. 23, Jiefang South Road, Tianshan District

9:30—17:30

Tartar Mosque

Jiefang South Road, Tianshan District

9:30—17:30

Naanqiao Mosque

No. 789, Jiefang South Road, Tianshan District

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Nanlishi Mosque

No. 428, Heping South Road, Tianshan District

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Xidaqiao Mosque

No. 96, Xihu North Street, Shayibak District

8:30—14:30
14:30—18:30

Zhongya North Road Mosque

No. 117, Zhongya North Road

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