Lanzhou was founded in 86 BC. According to records, it was named Jincheng because gold was dug out when the city was first built here. There is also a saying that it is based on the allusion of "Jincheng Tangchi" to describe its solidity. Jincheng County was established here during the Han, Wei and Jin Dynasties. During the Cold Period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Jincheng County was moved to this place. In the third year of Emperor Kaihuang's reign in the Sui Dynasty (583 AD), Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty abolished the county and established a state, and established the Lanzhou General Administration Office here. The name "Lanzhou" first appeared in the history books. Later, although the state and county changed their names several times, the establishment history of Lanzhou was basically fixed and is still used today.
After Qin Shihuang unified China, he divided the country into thirty-six counties, and the Lanzhou area belonged to Longxi County.
At the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty, according to the Qin organizational system, Lanzhou was still under the jurisdiction of Longxi County. In the second year of Yuanshou (121 BC), Huo Qubing led his army to conquer the Xiongnu in the west, and established a military garrison in the west of Lanzhou, which opened the way for the Han Dynasty to open up the four counties in Hexi. In the first year of Emperor Zhao's reign (86 BC), Jincheng County was established in present-day Lanzhou, under the jurisdiction of Tianshui County.
In the sixth year of Emperor Zhao of the Western Han Dynasty (81 BC), Jincheng County was established. In the second year of Emperor Xuan's reign, after Zhao Chongguo pacified the Western Qiang and stationed troops in Huangzhong, the Western Han Dynasty's rule in Jincheng County was strengthened, and seven new counties were established successively. In the twelfth year of Jianwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 36), Jincheng County was merged with Longxi County. In the fourth year of Yongchu reign of Emperor An (AD 110), the Western Qiang rebelled and most of Jincheng County was occupied. The county government was moved from Yunwu to Xiangwu (now Longxi County, Gansu), and then moved back to Yunwu twelve years later. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Jincheng County was divided into Xiping County. From then on, the administration of Jincheng County was moved from Yunwu to Yuzhong (today's west of Yuzhong County).
After the establishment of the Western Jin Dynasty, Jincheng County was still located. At the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, in the first year of Yong'an in Qianliang (AD 314), it was divided into Zhiyang and Lingju counties under Jincheng County, and merged with the newly established three counties of Yongdeng County (near Yao Street, Honggu District, Lanzhou City today). Guangwu County was established. In the same year, Jincheng County was moved from Yuzhong to Jincheng. From then on, Jincheng County and the county were located in the same city.
In the third year of Emperor Wen's reign (583 AD), Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty changed Jincheng County to Lanzhou and established the General Administration Office. Because there is Gaolan Mountain in the south of the city, it is named Lanzhou. In the third year of Daye (AD 607), Zicheng County was renamed Jincheng County, Lanzhou was renamed Jincheng County, and Jincheng and Didao counties were taken over, with the county governing Jincheng. In the 13th year of Daye (AD 617), Jincheng captain Xue raised his troops to rebel against the Sui Dynasty, became the overlord of the Western Qin Dynasty, and established Jincheng as his capital. Soon the capital was moved to Tianshui, which was later destroyed by the Tang Dynasty.
After the Tang Dynasty unified China, Lanzhou was restored in the second year of Wude (619 AD). In the eighth year, the Governor's Mansion was established. In the first year of Xianqing (AD 656), it was changed to a state. In the first year of Tianbao (AD 742), it was renamed Jincheng County. In the second year of Qianyuan (AD 759), Jincheng County was renamed Lanzhou. The state governed Wuquan and had jurisdiction over Wuquan and Guangwu counties.
In the first year of Baoying (762 AD), Lanzhou was occupied by Tubo. In the second year of Dazhong (848 AD), Zhang Yichao from Hezhou rebelled and recovered the eleven prefectures of Longyou. Lanzhou returned to the Tang Dynasty. . However, the Tang Dynasty was in decline at this time and was unable to look westward. Soon it was occupied by the Dangxiang tribe.
In the early Qing Dynasty, according to the Ming Dynasty, Lanzhou was subordinate to Lintao Prefecture, and the Wei Dynasty was subordinate to the Shaanxi Capital Commandery Department. In the 13th year of Shunzhi (AD 1656), the army was dismissed and returned to the state. In the second year of Kangxi (AD 1663), Lanzhou Guard was reestablished. In the fifth year of Kangxi (AD 1666), Shaanxi and Gansu were divided and the province of Gansu was established. The provincial capital was moved from Gongchang (today's Longxi) to Lanzhou. Since then, Lanzhou has been the political center of Gansu. In the third year of Qianlong's reign (AD 1738), the government of Lintao Prefecture was moved from Didao to Lanzhou and was renamed Lanzhou Prefecture and the state was renamed Gaolan County. At that time, Lanzhou Prefecture administered the two prefectures of Didao and Hezhou, and four counties: Gaolan, Jinxian, Weiyuan, and Jingyuan. In the 29th year of Qianlong's reign (AD 1764), the governor's office of Shaanxi and Gansu was moved from Xi'an to Lanzhou, and the governor of Gansu was reduced.
After the Revolution of 1911, in the second year of the Republic of China (1913 AD), the prefectures (prefectures) were abolished and roads were established. Lanshan and Gongchang prefectures were merged into Lanshan Road, which governed Gaolan, Hongshui, and Yuzhong. , Didao, Daohe, Ningding, Taosha, Jingyuan, Weiyuan, Dingxi, Lintan, Longxi, Minxian, Huining, Zhangxian and other fifteen counties. Daoyin was stationed in Gaolan County, the provincial capital. In the 16th year of the Republic of China (1927 AD), the road was changed into a district, and Lanshan Road was changed into Lanshan District. In the 25th year of the Republic of China (AD 1936), Gansu Province was divided into seven administrative inspectorate offices. Gaolan and Yuzhong belonged to the first administrative inspectorate district (the office was stationed in Min County). In the 30th year of the Republic of China, that is, on July 1, 1941, the outskirts of Gaolan County were demarcated, and Lanzhou City was newly established. Together with Gaolan County, it governed the present-day Chengguan District of Lanzhou. The urban area covers 16 square kilometers and has a population of more than 172,000 people.
In the 33rd year of the Republic of China (AD 1944), the urban area expanded to Yangwa Mountain in the east, Tumendun (excluding Madan) in the west, Shizuizi, Baliyao, and Gaolan Mountain Top in the south, and Yanchangbao and Shili in the north. store, covering an area of ??146 square kilometers.
On August 26, 1949, Lanzhou was liberated. Since then, Lanzhou has entered a new historical period. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the establishment of Lanzhou City has changed several times. Lanzhou City currently governs five districts, Chengguan, Qilihe, Anning, Xigu and Honggu, and three counties: Yuzhong, Gaolan and Yongdeng.