Muslim Family Explores China: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Halal Food

Is China Muslim-Friendly? 🇨🇳 We Traveled With Our Kids to Find Out

Destination:ChinaCity:XiAnPopulation:13 million
Is China Muslim-Friendly? 🇨🇳 We Traveled With Our Kids to Find Out
Saleh Family2026-01-2329 min

We spent 10 unforgettable days traveling through China with our kids, and what we discovered completely changed our perspective. From Beijing to Shanghai to Xi’an, we explored some of the most iconic landmarks in the world — including the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Terracotta Army. But what truly surprised us was discovering centuries of Muslim history, ancient mosques, halal food, and how family-friendly and accessible China can be for Muslim travelers. If you’re a Muslim family, curious traveler, or someone who’s ever wondered “Can Muslims travel to China?” — this vlog is for you.

Traveling China with kids

Ancient mosques & Muslim heritage

Halal food across multiple cities

Major landmarks & cultural sites

Honest reflections & surprises we didn’t expect

We recognize and hold space for the suffering of Uyghur Muslims and understand the sensitivity surrounding this topic. This video was created to highlight the Muslim heritage, mosques, and communities we were able to visit, and to share our lived experience traveling as a Muslim family in China. Our goal is to shed light on the Muslims who continue to live there and the history that exists, while acknowledging that this does not erase or replace the broader realities many Muslims face.

--- Saleh Family
January 23, 2026, Winter in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:00opening framing
  2. 01:30beijing arrival
  3. 04:32cameras and safety
  4. 08:12tiananmen forbidden city
  5. 11:02great wall ascent
  6. 16:58xi’an ancient mosque
  7. 18:50terracotta army
  8. 25:34harbor of shanghai
  9. 27:50group dynamics and farewell

A Muslim family’s ten day Chinese itinerary blends history, culture, and halal food, from Beijing’s mosques and the Great Wall to Xi’an’s ancient mosque, and a

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1book a group tour to avoid planning fatigue and ensure accessibility for all family members including wheelchair arrangements. (0:00)
  2. Tip 2use pre arranged transport and earphone guided tours to stay informed while keeping distance from crowds. (03:45)
  3. Tip 3prepare for long lines at major sights and consider a multi city rail plan to maximize time at each landmark. (08:40)
  4. Tip 4learn about the Forbidden City’s layout to pace your visit; allocate whole days to it if possible and bring water and snacks. (12:40)
  5. Tip 5invest in comfortable footwear for extensive walking and consider the canal town for a peaceful afternoon. (22:20)

The Saleh Family’s travelogue Is China Muslim-Friendly? We Traveled With Our Kids to Find Out takes viewers on a ten day exploration of China through a Muslim family’s eyes. They partner with Islamic Travel AU to discover how Muslim heritage, halal food, and family-friendly sights intersect with China’s ancient landmarks. The journey starts in Beijing, where they land tired but excited for a 10 day Islamic tour, noting the country’s surprising cleanliness, pervasive surveillance yet strong safety, and the ease of traveling as a group with a pre arranged itinerary. The family experiences rickshaw rides through old Beijing, visits Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and then moves on to the Summer Palace before tackling the Great Wall via a nerve wracking but unforgettable gondola like chairlift ride that tests the mother’s fear of heights while keeping the kids entertained. In Xi’an, they explore the ancient mosque, highlight how the mosque blends traditional Chinese architecture;

More about the current video:

Is China Muslim-Friendly? 🇨🇳 We Traveled With Our Kids to Find Out

The Saleh Family travels across China for ten days with a group tour arranged by Islamic Travel AU, discovering a deep Muslim heritage woven into Chinese history. They begin in Beijing, where they greet the cold, prepare for travel with their kids, and marvel at the ancient mosque in Xi’an and the Great Wall, describing the experience as awe inspiring yet terrifying for some. They ride rickshaws through old Beijing, visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and note how cameras and police presence create a sense of safety. The trip includes a boat ride through Shanghai’s harbor and a visit to Shanghai’s garden and a Venice of China canal town. They also visit the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, marvel at the city wall, and reflect on the long history of Muslims in China. The family emphasizes hospitality, the convenience of a packaged tour, and the value of experiencing diverse cultures together as a family. The narrative touches on sensitive political realities and honors Uyghur suffering while celebrating Muslim heritage within China. The Saleh Family thanks Islamic Travel AU and especially Yousef for making the trip memorable and concludes with a recommendation to travel to China to explore its Muslim history and modern cityscapes with halal dining options. They invite questions and suggest future trips. The overall tone blends curiosity, caution, gratitude, and a sense of wonder about the layered history and contemporary life in China.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: Is it safe to travel to China as a Muslim family?
A: The Saleh Family reports feeling safe and welcomed, with visible safety measures like cameras and police presence that add comfort while exploring major sites.
Q: What kinds of halal options are available?
A: Hospitality groups and halal restaurants are included in their packaged tour, with multiple cities offering halal meals and dedicated dining options.
Q: What was the most memorable moment?
A: The Great Wall ascent via a chairlift was a high point, though it also highlighted the family’s shared fear and exhilaration, balanced by stunning views and family bonding.

Muslim Family Explores China: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Halal Food

We spent 10 unforgettable days traveling through China with our kids, and what we discovered completely changed our perspective. From Beijing to Shanghai to Xi’an, we explored some of the most iconic landmarks in the world — including the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and...

Islamic Heritage Meets Iconic China: A Muslim Family’s 10 Day Journey

Join the Saleh Family on an incredible 10-day journey through China, exploring iconic landmarks like the Great Wall and Forbidden City with their children. They uncovered a rich tapestry of Muslim history, from ancient mosques to delicious halal food, proving China to be surprisingly family-friendly for Muslim travelers. This vlog offers an honest look at their experiences, highlighting cultural sites and the welcoming nature of communities they encountered.

Attractions in this video: Great Wall Of China, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Xi’an Ancient Mosque, Terracotta Army, Shanghai Garden, Venice Of China, Harbor Of Shanghai