During the Han dynasty, Gumo is described as a "kingdom" (guo) containing 3,500 households and 24,500 individuals, including 4,500 people able to bear arms.

[8] The territory of Gumo was roughly situated in the counties of Baicheng and Wensu and the city of Aksu of nowadays.

He also stated that fine cotton and hemp cloth made in the area was traded in neighbouring countries.

[13] In the 7th, 8th, and early 9th centuries, control of the entire region was often contested by Tang China, the Tibetan Empire, and the Uyghur Khaganate; cities frequently changed hands.

[15][16] Both Uch Turfan and Aksu were attacked by the Turgesh, Arab, and Tibetan force on 15 August 717.

The Battle of Talas led to the gradual withdrawal of Chinese forces, and the region was then contested between the Uyghurs and Tibetans.

The area had been part of the whole Mongol Empire before it was occupied by the independent-minded Chagatai Khanate under the House of Ögedei in 1286 from the hands of Kublai's Yuan dynasty.

[21] The Qing dynasty of China conquered the Dzungar Khanate during the final stage of the Dzungar–Qing Wars in the late 1750s.

The Aksu region was given immediate legitimacy by the Qing government, which also gave it the name Wensu Independent Department (溫宿直隸州) and appointed an imperial agent to supervise its activity.

[21] After the fall of Yakub Beg, a learned cleric named Musa Sayrami (1836–1917), who had occupied positions of importance in Aksu under both rebel regimes, authored Tārīkh-i amniyya (History of Peace), which is considered by modern historians as one of the most important historical sources on the period.

He described it as being the largest town he had seen on his way from the Chinese capital, with a population of about 20,000, besides other inhabitants of the district and a garrison of about 2,000 soldiers.

"There were large bazaars and several inns—some for travellers, others for merchants wishing to make a prolonged stay to sell goods.

"[24] After the fall of the Qing dynasty, Aksu County (阿克蘇縣) was established by the Republic of China In 1913.

[26] After the outbreak of the Ili Rebellion, the Ili National Army forces led by Abdulkerim Abbas attempting to take Aksu were repelled by National Revolutionary Army defenders commanded by Zhao Hanqi after two bitter sieges in September 1945.

[51] Aksu, formerly the territory of Kucha (Chinese: 龟兹), or Gumo, served as a significant station on the historic Silk Road, with various points of interest along the route.

[52] Jengish Chokusu, recognized as the foremost peak of Tianshan Mountains, the enigmatic Grand Canyon, Tianshan Shenmu Garden, Yanshuigou [zh] Yardang Landscape, Taklamakan Desert, the primordial Tugay forest along the Tarim River, the largest inland river in China, and the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, one of China's four major grottoes.