Great Mosque of Xi'an

Hidden behind a nondescript door in the Muslim Quarter, the Great Mosque unfolds as a series of serene Chinese courtyards: carved timber pavilions, moon gates, and a prayer hall that faces west instead of south. It is Islam expressed through Chinese architecture, and unlike most sites, still functions as a living place of worship.

The pagoda-like minaret, the calligraphy steles, and the gardens reward slow wandering. Dress modestly and step out of the prayer hall areas during prayer times.