By the middle of the seventh century, Arab and Persian traders and merchants traveled to China in search of riches. In addition, in the thirteenth century the Mongols turned people into mobile armies during their Central Asian conquests and sent them to China. These civilians were expected to settle down at various locations to farm while maintaining combat readiness. As artisans, scholars, officials, and religious leaders, they spread throughout China. These people are the ancestors of today’s Hui.
Having intermarried with the Han Chinese for generations, they look and speak Chinese, the official language of the land. They are often distinguished by their high cheekbones and round eyes. You can recognize the men by their white prayer caps and the women by their head scarves. However, with the modernization of China, many young Hui forgo the wearing of the headgear to blend in with the mainstream.