每一座年代久远的城市，都有一条属于自己的清晰的文化脉络。八坊十三巷就是世代生于斯长于斯的人们用双手和智慧创造的文明，更是临夏这座小城在历史长河中一路走来的坚实足印。
“八坊”是历史上对临夏城外南关一带回族聚居区的泛称。从唐代开始八坊回族先民不断地在河州城附近留居。从元代到清朝前期，在南关厢内外先后建起了南关大寺、王寺、华寺、城角寺、北寺、祁寺、西寺、上二社寺等八所清真寺，形成了八个“围寺而居”的教坊，简称八坊。到清朝后期，围寺而居的八坊格局完全定型，并得到不断巩固和发展。随着历史的变迁，八坊的肌理格局完整的保存下来，形成横向六条，纵向七条的13条巷子，“八坊十三巷”由此得名。
如今的八坊十三巷，居住着包括回、汉、东乡等十八个民族，多年来，这里的各族人民在长期的集市贸易中建立了和睦友好的传统友谊，不同民族、不同文化的人们相互认识、相互学习、彼此尊重，奠定了民族团结的牢实根基。悠悠岁月长河中八坊先民们为这里的子孙们留下一片文化气息厚重的古街民居建筑群。各式极具中国古典建筑风格古民居院落坐落其中，庄严肃穆，秀丽壮观，具有极高的观赏性与实用性。虽历经千年沧桑，依然保持着当年的恢宏气势和古朴风貌，形成了八坊乃至河州地区独特的建筑艺术风格，也成了历史留给临夏人民的一份宝贵的人文遗产。
今天的八坊，占地0.41平方公里，较完整地保存着30院四合院和109座古民居。这些古民居所承载的不仅仅是民居的建筑艺术，还承载着八坊人所有的苦难和荣耀。行走在青石板路上，只见街巷纵横，人烟稠密；店铺鳞次，商业繁荣，有尝不完的风味美食，看不够的民俗风情，品不尽的花园曲径，犹如踏入一幅具有西北特色的“清明上河图”，令人流连忘返。
关于八坊的美食，若不是置身其中去品尝，很难用文字或者语言完整叙述。各种特色小吃遍布巷中，油香、油馃馃、馓子、酿皮、凉粉、甜麦子、牛杂割、羊杂碎、鸡蛋醪糟、糯米枣糕、糖油糕，没有一样不是中华饮食文化中的精华，没有一样不是八坊人热爱生活的体现。
河，因城而美丽；城，因河而生动。步行在夜晚临夏市的特色街区，市民、游人熙来攘往，热闹非凡；流光溢彩的月亮湾风景线，妩媚多姿……有河有水有街有巷的临夏市，为古老的八坊注入了新的发展潜力和源头活水，如今的八坊十三巷已成为临夏城市发展的新名片和文化旅游的博览地。2016月10月，两条巷道正式向游客开放，2017年12月被评为国家AAAA级旅游景区，截至目前，所有13条巷道改造都已完成。2018年11月19日，国务院对八坊十三巷旧貌换新颜，“城中村”变身文旅新地标典型做法给予通报表扬。
八坊十三巷集美食、特色古街民居、民俗文化、等多种旅游业态。这里悠闲惬意、养身养心，您可以在欣赏雅致古朴的特色古建筑和品味深厚的民族历史文化的同时，尽情享受旅行带来的舒适和惬意。
旅行是美好生活的体验，是增进友谊的纽带，我们在临夏，在八坊十三巷这古色古香的小巷中，等待遇见您；我们更真诚欢迎您来八坊十三巷、共享美丽临夏，共创美好未来。
Every historic city has its own cultural venation. Ba Fang Shi San Hang (Bafang thirteen lanes) is an outstanding cultural symbol of Linxia city.
In history Hui nationality community of the south outside Linxia city was named Bafang. Since the Tang Dynasty(618-907), ancestors of Hui nationality constantly settled near Hezhou City (Linxia City). From the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to the early Qing Dynasty (1636-1912), 8 mosques were successively built inside and outside of the south pass of Hezhou city. Then 8 Hui nationality communities was formed around the mosques, which is the origin of Bafang. In the late Qing Dynasty, the setup of Bafang was completely shaped and was consolidated and developed. As time went by, the setup of bafang was well preserved and formed 13 lanes, 6 horizontal and 7 vertical. Hence the name Ba Fang Shi San Hang((Bafang thirteen lanes) appeared.
Nowadays, there are 18 nationalities including Hui, Han and Dongxiang nationality in Ba Fang Shi San Hang (Bafang thirteen lanes). People of all nationalities here has built harmonious traditional friendship for years. People from different cultural background respect each other, which is the solid foundation of national unity. Ancient architectural complex in Bafang are both ornamental and practical. They are precious cultural heritage left by Bafang ancestors.
Nowadays Bafang covers an area of 0.41 square kilometers. There are 30 well-preserved quadrangles and 109 traditional folk houses. While in Bafang, you will experience a scene of bustle and excitement: crowded people, many stores, delicious food, distinctive local customs and winding paths.
There are all kinds of special snacks, such as fried dough, cold noodles, sweet wheat soup, chop suey of cow and sheep，glutinous rice and Chinese date cake, sugar and oil cake, which are essence of Chinese food culture and reflection of positive attitude towards life of Bafang people.
Ba Fang Shi San Hang (Bafang thirteen lanes) has become a new card of Linxia’s development and exposition of culture tourism. In October 2016, two alleys were opened to the public. In December 2017, it was rated as national 4A tourism attraction. Up to now, reconstruction of all 13 alleys has been completed. On 19th November 2018, it was praised by the State Council for becoming a new landmark of cultural tourism.
There are delicious food, typical ancient lanes, folk houses in Ba Fang Shi San Hang (Bafang thirteen lanes). You can appreciate distinctive ancient architecture and experience local custom,national history and culture. We sincerely look forward to your visit!
