The names of Wuwei, Jiuquan, Zhangye and Dunhuang originated in the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

Wuwei County, one of the four counties in Hexi, established in the era of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, was named after the place where the former King of Hugh Land was located. Jiuquan County is named after "Jin Quan is under the city, and its water is like wine"; Zhangye County is named after "Zhang Guo embraces the Western Regions"; Dunhuang county is named after the word "Dunhuang ear", which has a grand meaning.

The four counties in Hexi refer to the four counties set up by the Western Han government in Hexi Corridor, generally including Wuwei, jinchang, Zhangye, Jiuquan, Jiayuguan and Alxa League in the west of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. As for this place, it was built after the evil Xiongnu King Kun killed Xiutu King and surrendered to Han.