The Yuan was a multiethnic dynasty. Mongols and Central Asians moved into China proper and learned Chinese culture, becoming friends and students of Chinese scholars. This social and cultural interaction created literary and artistic exchange between members of different ethnic groups. The result was that non-native Chinese left behind many works written in Chinese during this period.

For example, the Khitan Yeh-lu Ch'u-ts'ai was learned in the Chinese Classics and history as well as Buddhism. His works are found in "Collection of Writings by the 'Pure Hermit'". The Uighur-Turk Sa Tu-la was a famous poet of the Yuan and his fluent and elegant poetry is found in his "'Yen-men' Collection of Poetry". The literary Mongol T'ai Pu-hua (Tai Buga), who participated in writing the histories of the Sung, Liao, and Chin dynasties, left behind his "'Nostalgia for the North' Collection of Poetry". The Uighur-Turk Kao K'o-kung was gifted at poetry and painting, and he associated with such scholar-artists and connoisseurs as Chao Meng-fu and K'o Chiu-ssu. His poetry is found in "Collection of Poetry by 'Fang-shan'". The Central Asian Sheng Hsi-meng was gifted in writing and calligraphy, and his compilation of "An Introduction to and Discussion of Calligraphy" describes the history and classification of Chinese calligraphy as well as pointers for learning this art form.