It certainly makes sense historically according to Tang dynasty. Tujue突厥 (Turkish) forces were employed in Tang army and most were asked to fight other barbarians on north and west borders. Tujue chiefs themself often asked for Tang princesses as brides. The foot soldiers might did same at civilian levels. They settle down most at border regions

Just coming back from a trip to China, most muslim Hui and food are found in North and West Chinese cities. There is very little Hui in typical Easten regions like Shanghai and Hangzhou since these places are far away from Chinese land borders.

Certainly people in Shanghai region have strong sense of superiority over other Chinese in northwest because these people believe they are pure blood Chinese. Their sense of superiory is furthered comfirmed by their economical and intellectual achievement historically. Their arrogance or so-called self-assurance is often pissing other Chinese off.

It certainly makes sense historically according to Tang dynasty. Tujue突厥 (Turkish) forces were employed in Tang army and most were asked to fight other barbarians on north and west borders.

well, the turks were not really muslim during the tang period. the first widespread islamicization of the turkic peoples happened in the 900s, and even during this period the vast majority of turks were pagan, with small christian, buddhist and manichaean minorities. note were muslim as far east as china (remember, in the 8th century the uigher empire was at its peak, and it was manichaean). note that around the time of genghis khan (early 13th century) the turkic peoples of eastern turkestan (xinjiang) were predominantly buddhist. just to "play it safe" i think most hui probably can trace their patrilineages back to the yuan (mongol) period...but, i would not be surprised if some were the descendents of persians who settled around xian during the tang, or arabs who settled along the coast.

The steppe peoples seemed to be religiously pluralistic, with religion mostly having what we would call magical and networking (diplomatic) functions. Among Mongols traditional Mongol belief trumped all others. Xinjiang was also the last enclave of the Manichaean religion (the 9th century Uighurs, plus certain city-states that survived at least until 1200 AD.)

Chinese Muslim food is worth trying. Sort of middle eastern, with lots of dumpling-type things.

Based on my anecdotal experience from Taiwan, Hui identity is at least as strong as American Jewish identity, even among lukewarm believers, and people both Chinese and Hui believe they can detect a physical difference.

During the T'ang there was a bloody purge of Muslims on the coast. I don't know how total it was.

The most beautiful woman that I have ever met in my life is a Hui girl from Xinjiang. Green eyes set in an essentially oriental physiognomy.

You are right John, Hui cuisine is absolutely fantastic. Very popular in Shanghai it seems - there are several Hui restaurants within a 200 metre radius of my apartment. Quite meaty, with a great abundance of noodle and pasta dishes.

Kaifeng Hui are more of the Persian type - swarthy and big noses, fat assed Middle Eastern girls.