"Guangfu" is an elision of the town's older name Guangpingfu,[3] referring to its former status as the seat of Guangping ("Expansively Pacified" or "Peaceful") Prefecture under the Ming.

[11] At the time, the city lay on the principal road running from points south of the Yellow River northeast to Youzhou (now within Beijing) and Korea.

[13] When Dou was captured at the 621 Battle of Hulao, a few hundred of his cavalry escaped to his capital, looted its treasury, and then yielded the town to the victorious Tang.

[14] After Dou was executed in Chang'an, his cavalry officer Liu Heita again rose in rebellion, defeating the Tang near Guangfu in late 621 with Turkic assistance.

[20] The 1.5 km2 (0.58 sq mi) historical area within the city walls[7] has been refurbished since China's opening up, with current construction mimicking the town's appearance under the Ming.