The area has been inhabited by
Qiang since the
Xia dynasty (2070 BC). In 215 BC,
Meng Tian captured the area south of the Yellow River from
Hu barbarians and
Yuzhong County was established at the current location of
Donggang Subdistrict in Chengguan. In 581, the area was known as Wuquan County, renamed to Jincheng County in 671. By the
Tang dynasty, Chengguan became the seat of the
Zhou ('province'),
Commandery and
County. In 1104 it was known as Lanquan County. By 1369, Lanzhou, then called Lan County, became subordinate under
Lintao County. In 1399 the city walls of Lanzhou were built. In 1666, the governor of Gansu moved back to Lanzhou. In 1764 the administrative centers moved back to Chengguan, then known as Gaolan County. In 1941 present day
Gaolan County was spun off and the modern Chengguan District was established, which then encompassed the entire urban area of Lanzhou. Since 1955 the district is named Chengguan, named after the old city centre of Lanzhou. During the
Cultural Revolution it was named Dongfeng District (东风区). In 2005 all towns were abolished and since then the district is divided in subdistricts only. == Administrative divisions ==