In the
Han Dynasty, it was a component of
Shule, a significant town on the historic
Silk Road, and continues to thrive in trade and business. In 60 BC, the
Han Dynasty established the
Protectorate of the Western Regions. Subsequently, in the Wei and Jin Dynasties, Artush fell under the authority of the
Chief Official of the Western Regions, which later became part of
Western Turkic Khaganate. In 649, it was incorporated into the Shule Governor's Office of the
Protectorate General to Pacify the West. In 840, the
Uyghur Khaganate and other tribes established the
Kara-Khanid Khanate, of which Artush was a region. Artush became part of the
Chagatai Khanate during the
Yuan Dynasty. During the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, Artush was part of the
Eastern Chagatai Khanate. The
Yarkent Khanate was created during the Ming Dynasty, with Artush as one of its territories. In 1759, the Qing authorities
quelled the turmoil in the large and tiny Hezhuo, placing Artush under the authority of the Minister of Kashgar, referred to as Astu Altush, while Aqimu Burke was established in Atushi Zhuang to oversee local governance. In 1884, Atushi was incorporated into . In January 1943, Artush County was established. In 1949, it was part of
Kashgar Prefecture. On July 14, 1954, the
Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture was founded, and Atushi County was placed under its administration, subsequently recognized as the capital of the Autonomous Prefecture. In June 1986, Atushi County was dissolved, leading to the establishment of the city of Atushi. At 10:23 pm on January 19, 2020, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck in Artush. ==Geography and climate==