The dumpling-banquet specialist at the foot of Xi'an's Bell Tower, serving 18-20 differently shaped dumplings in one seated meal.
Defachang has operated at the base of Xi'an's Bell Tower since 1936, and its name is now shorthand in the city for the jiaozi banquet: a set meal of 18 to 20 small dumplings, each pinched, pleated or shaped by hand to echo its filling, so a duck dumpling looks like a duck and a walnut dumpling looks like a walnut. The Zhonggulou Square branch occupies a multi-floor dining hall a short walk from both the Bell Tower and the Muslim Quarter entrance at Beiyuanmen, making it an easy stop before or after an evening in the old city. The banquet is ordered by set tier (¥198-368 per person), with higher tiers adding more dumpling varieties and a soup course; smaller a la carte dumpling plates are also available for guests who don't want the full spread. The dining room is bright and banquet-hall in scale, built to move large groups and tour parties through efficiently, with lazy-Susan tables for sharing and simple modern decor rather than a period-costume theme. Because the restaurant sits directly on Xi'an's most heavily trafficked tourist corridor, reservations are recommended for dinner, particularly during May, October and Chinese New Year, when both the Bell Tower square and the restaurant itself are at their busiest.
| Price | $$$ |
|---|---|
| Hours | 11:00AM-2:00PM, 5:00PM-9:00PM daily |
| Dress code | Casual |
| Reservations | Reservations recommended for the multi-course banquet, especially at dinner and during peak tourist season. |
| Address | No. 3 West Street, Zhonggulou Square, Lianhu District, Xi'an 710002 |
Signature dishes
- Jiaozi banquet (18-20 dumpling courses shaped to represent their filling) — ¥198-368 (~$28-51)
- Duck-shaped duck dumplings — Included in banquet set
- Walnut-shaped walnut dumplings — Included in banquet set
Good to know
- Known for
- Founded in 1936 beside the Bell Tower, Defachang built its reputation on the jiaozi (dumpling) banquet, a multi-course set where each dumpling is folded or pinched into a shape that hints at its filling.
Weather through the year in Shaanxi
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Shaanxi.
Location
No. 3 West Street, Zhonggulou Square, Lianhu District, Xi'an 710002
34.2658, 108.9538 View on map
Highlights
- 18-20 dumplings per banquet set, each shaped to represent its own filling
- Ground-floor location steps from the Bell Tower and Beiyuanmen entrance
- In business at this address since 1936
- Set-menu tiers let groups choose how many dumpling courses to order
Tips for visiting
- Book ahead for dinner during May, October and Chinese New Year
- Order a mid-tier set first; the top tier is a lot of food for two people
- Ask staff to point out which dumpling is which shape before eating, since the visual pun is part of the fun
- Combine with a Bell Tower or Drum Tower ticket since both sit within a five-minute walk
When to visit
Early dinner (5:00-6:30PM) to beat the tour-group rush
Accessibility
The restaurant spans multiple floors with stairs between them; ground-floor seating is available for guests who prefer to avoid stairs.
Frequently asked questions
How many dumplings come in the banquet?
Set tiers run from about 18 to 20 individually shaped dumplings per person, plus a soup course on higher tiers.
Is there an a la carte option?
Yes, smaller plates of individual dumpling varieties are available for guests who don't want the full banquet.
Do I need a reservation?
Recommended for dinner, especially in peak travel months, since the restaurant is steps from the Bell Tower.
Is English available?
Picture menus and some English signage are available given the volume of international visitors passing through the Bell Tower area.