The difference between Huqin and Erhu is different timbre, appearance and distribution area.

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Hu Qin, also known as Xiang Hu and Ji (Tong Xi) Qin. It has a long history and simple shape. Can be used for solo, ensemble or accompaniment for song and dance. Huqin is a general term for musical instruments used by ethnic minorities in the north and northwest of China in ancient times, and it was only used as a special term for stringed instruments of Huqin in modern times.

Huqin began in the Tang Dynasty. In the Le Shu (Volume 128) written by Chen Yang, a music theorist in the Song Dynasty in 199, it was written: "Hu Qin is a musical instrument, which is similar in shape and form, and is also a favorite of Xi Department. Cover it, and the two strings are rolled with bamboo pieces, which has been used by the people so far. " According to the book, the installation direction of the two chords is opposite to that of today's erhu, and it doesn't need a thousand kilograms.

in the southern and northern dynasties, the Xi people were called kumoxi, who lived in the Xilamulun River valley in the northeast of China. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, some Xi people moved westward to Gui Zhou (now Huailai County, Hebei Province), which was also called Xixi. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the East and the West gradually merged with the Qidan people. According to Chen Yun's research, Hu Qin should be a musical instrument used by Xixi in northern China in the late Tang Dynasty.

It is developed on the basis of ancient stringed instruments, and its playing method is similar to that of Zheng rolling, which was completely influenced by Zheng rolling of Han nationality in the early Tang Dynasty. The difference is that the Huqin has only two strings, and the bamboo piece is not on the upper (outer) surface of the string but between the two strings when rolling.