In the 3rd century BC, Zhenning Buyei and Miao Autonomous County (Zhenning) was a part of an ancient political entity
Yelang. In 233, in the 11th year of Jianxing period of
Shu Han (221–263), the county under the control of Puli Dazong (). In late
Song dynasty, the powerful
Mongol Empire, led by
Genghis Khan, began their conquest of Song Empire. The Mongolian army occupied Zhenning and it came under the jurisdiction of Hehong
Zhou (). In 1351, in the 11th year of
Zhizheng period of the
Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), Hehong Prefecture was renamed "Zhenning Zhou" () and belonged to Puding
Circuit (). In 1385, in the ruling of
Hongwu Emperor of the
Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Zhenning came under the jurisdiction of Sichuan
Buzhengshisi (). Five years later, a military
garrison named "Anzhuangwei" () was founded in downtown Zhenning. In 1671, in the reign of
Kangxi Emperor of the
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Zhenning became an independent "
Zhou" and under the administration of
Anshun Prefecture (). In 1914, Zhenning Zhou was revoked and Zhenning County was set up. On November 21, 1949, the Communists took over Zhenning. In 1956, it came under the jurisdiction of
Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. In 1958,
Guanling was briefly merged into Zhenning County and then separated in 1961. On September 11, 1963, it became an
autonomous county approved by the State Council of China. In 1964, it was under jurisdiction of
Liuzhi Special District. In 1981, Zhenning Buyei and Miao Autonomous County came under the jurisdiction of Anshun. == Administrative divisions ==