However , this article relates specifically to the uprising Change_of_leadership by members of the Muslim Hui and other Muslim ethnic groups in China 's Shaanxi , Gansu and Ningxia provinces , as well as in Xinjiang , between 1862 and 1877 .

The conflict Hostile_encounter led to Causation a recorded Recording 20.77 million population reduction Cause_change_of_position_on_a_scale in Shaanxi and Gansu occurred Presence due Causation to migration and war-related death Death .

Based on research Research by modern historians , out of the at least 4 million Hui in Shaanxi before the revolt Change_of_leadership , only 20,000 remained in the province while the rest of the Hui were all killed Killing in massacres Killing and reprisals Revenge by government and militia forces Hostile_encounter or deported Removing out of the province .

700,000 to 800,000 Hui in Shaanxi who were deported Removing to Gansu were massacred Killing along the way to Gansu by the militia carrying out Military_operation the deportations Removing until only a few thousand of them remained Temporary_stay alive .

According to post-war consensus , 74.5 % population reduction Cause_change_of_position_on_a_scale was reported Reporting in Gansu , and 44.7 % in Shaanxi .

The uprising Change_of_leadership occurred Presence on the western bank of the Yellow River in Shaanxi , Gansu and Ningxia , but excluded Preventing_or_letting Xinjiang Province .

The route passed Motion_directional through some of the most difficult terrain of western China by traveling Traveling west , then north , to Shaanxi .

The earthquakes Catastrophe were also felt Perception_active in the nearby cities of Tianshui and Lanzhou in Gansu , as well as Xi'an , Baoji , and Xianyang in neighbouring Shaanxi .

The Japanese were also unable to defeat Conquering the Chinese communist forces in Shaanxi , which waged a campaign of sabotage and guerrilla warfare against the invaders .