The fabled Silk Road city of Xi'an in
China Shaanxi province is best
known as the home of the famous
Terracotta Warriors,but its other
great claim to fame is its food.As
the eastern terminus of the Silk
Road,Xi'an was a melting pot of
cultures and an important gateway
for Central Asian and Islamic influ-
ences to enter Chinese life.One of
the best ways to experience this
cross-cultural pollination is to
follow your nose to Xi'an's Muslim
Quarter,where the scent of Middle
Eastern spices,such as cumin,car-
damom,ginger and nutmeg,still
permeate the air.