Linxia

Linxia is the capital of the Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in central Gansu, a historic town on the upper Yellow River that was an important stop on the Tang-Tibet and Silk routes. Long a centre of Chinese Muslim (Hui) culture, it is sometimes called 'China's Little Mecca', with numerous mosques, a lively bazaar tradition and the well-restored Bafang Shisan-xiang old quarter. The nearby Songmingyan mountains and the turquoise Liujiaxia reservoir offer striking scenery. For an international student, Linxia offers rich Hui heritage, distinctive halal cuisine, colourful markets and a crossroads of Han, Hui and Tibetan cultures.