Kingdom of Dali
From 135 BC (under the reign of Emperor Wu of Han), Ludian was put under the administration of Zhuti County (), Zhuti Commandery. In 584, the county area became part of Kaibian county, Gongzhou Prefecture. In 754, the Tang Empire fought a war with Nanzhao, the Ludian area was annexed to Wumeng Tribe of Nanzhao. During Song Dynasty period, it was administrated by Kingdom of Dali. In 1273 during Yuan Dynasty, Wumeng Pacification Bureau was established, and the Ludian area belonged to Wumeng Circle, carrying out Military Garrison system. A lot of Han and Hui population entered this area during the Ming Dynasty. Under the reign of Yongzheng Emperor, the forced implementation of new land measures aroused rebellion in Wumeng area. After the rebellion was quelled, Wumeng was put under control of Yunnan Province. In 1731 the Ludian Subprefecture was established, and an earth wall was built around it.