Chinese Migrants in the Middle East during the Mongol-Yuan Period: Settlements and Activities

Co-sponsored with the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies

The 13th-14th centuries witnessed significant population movements across Eurasia. Mongol conquest and subsequent rule in the Middle East produced westward migrations of Chinese populations. Officially, those Chinese in service to the Mongol royal household primarily settled in northwestern Iran, alongside the Ilkhanid court. Consequently, material and cultural traces of Chinese migrants became evident in the Ilkhans’ capitals and seasonal encampments. At the popular level, skilled Chinese artisans and enslaved individuals not only survived but actively contributed to local Muslim societies. Beyond Ilkhanid territories, some Chinese migrated to Syria and Egypt of Mamluk Sultanate through commercial networks or as diplomatic gifts, with a few attaining prominent positions and achievements at the Mamluk court. Collectively, during the Mongol-Yuan period, Chinese people migrated to the Muslim societies in the Middle East through various channels, where they were valued as high-skilled human resources and were welcomed and well accepted. They gradually integrated into the local Muslim society.