⭐⭐⭐⭐ · ¥40–80/person
Tongshengxiang is one of Xi'an's oldest and most respected restaurants for classic Shaanxi cuisine — the local alternative to the more tourist-facing options. Founded in 1920, it specializes in beef paomo (a slightly different version from the mutton version at Lao Sun Jia) and traditional Xi'an cold dishes. A quieter, more authentic experience than the Muslim Quarter stalls.
['Less touristy than Lao Sun Jia — preferred by locals for its beef version', 'The restaurant closes between 2pm–5pm — plan accordingly', "Ask for the 'local set' (本地套餐) for the best value combination", 'The upstairs dining room is quieter than the ground floor']
Recommended by food travel creators who prefer local alternatives to the most tourist-heavy restaurants
Address (English): 5 Xi Dajie, Lianhu District, Xi'an (near Bell Tower)
Address (Chinese — show to driver): 莲湖区西大街5号(近钟楼)
Take Didi (China's Uber equivalent) and show the Chinese address above. Or use the metro — all major Xi'an attractions and restaurant districts are well-connected.
Most restaurants in Xi'an accept Alipay and WeChat Pay. Both apps now accept international credit cards — set up Alipay before arriving in China. Some traditional restaurants prefer cash.
Citizens of 54+ countries can visit China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. This restaurant is fully accessible during a visa-free transit stay in Xi'an.
Read the Full Visa-Free Guide →Yangrou Paomo (Mutton Soup)
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