[4] The area of present-day Baicheng has been inhabited by humans for more than 12,000 years, dating back to the Upper Paleolithic era.

[5] During the Khitan-founded Liao dynasty, the area was incorporated as part of the Changchun Prefecture [zh], the seat of which was located in the ancient city of Chengsijiazi (Chinese: 城四家子; pinyin: Chéngsìjiāzǐ), located in present-day Deshun Mongol Ethnic Township [zh] in Taobei District.

[5] During this time, the area was a major political, military, economic, and cultural center of the Liao Dynasty.

[5] During the Yuan dynasty, the area was first a fief of Genghis Khan's younger brother Temüge.

[5] As Qing government forbade the settlement of Han Chinese in the 19th century, no farming was allowed until 1902.

[citation needed] In 1902, under the reign of Emperor Guangxu, the Qing government approved the opening of the area to settlement.

[5] In 1905, Anguang County (Chinese: 安广县; pinyin: Ānguǎng Xiàn) was established as part of Taonan Fu.

[5] In December 1905, Dalai Ting (Chinese: 大赉厅; pinyin: Dàlài Tīng) was established in the area, and put under the jurisdiction of the Heilongjiang General [zh].

[5] In 1910, Zhendong County (Chinese: 镇东县; pinyin: Zhèndōng Xiàn) was established in the area, and placed under the jurisdiction of Fengtian province.

These two lines enabled Baicheng to become a regional transportation hub in western Jilin province.

[6] During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the entire area was brought under the control of Longjiang province (Chinese: 龙江省; pinyin: Lóngjiāng shěng),[5] part of Manchukuo.

[5] In August of that year, the area was reorganized as Baichengzi zone (Chinese: 白城子专区; pinyin: Báichéngzǐ zhuānqū).

[citation needed] Baicheng has a rather dry, monsoon-influenced, humid continental climate (Köppen Dwa), with long (lasting from November to March), very cold, windy, but dry winters due to the influence of the Siberian high, and hot, humid summers, due to the East Asian monsoon.

[11] Of the remaining 6.35%, the largest ethnic minorities in the city include the Mongols (3.51%), the Manchu (1.92%), Koreans (0.58%), and the Hui (0.21%).

[12] As of 2022, Baicheng's gross domestic product (GDP) totaled 57.486 billion renminbi (RMB).

[12] The per capita disposable income of urban residents in the city was 29,109 RMB, an increase of 2.4% over the previous year, while the per capita disposable income of rural residents in the city was 14,282 RMB, an increase of 5.7% over the previous year.

[12] Major crops grown in Baicheng include maize, rice, various beans, and oilseeds.

Expressways National highways (GXXX): Baicheng Chang'an Airport is located in the town of Taohe (洮河) in Taobei District, 16.5 kilometres (10.3 mi) from the city center.