[4]: 367  But in 1998, another said of the word's origin meaning was proposed when Lunan County apply for change the name to Shilin.

[4]: 367 Archaeological research show that as early as 800,000 years ago, humans began to settle in this region.

After Zhuge Liang marched to the south, Shilin was conquered and still by governed by Tangao County, Jianning Jun (建宁郡).

[7]: 558 [8]: 16  In Nanzhao and Dali period it was under the rule of Tuodong Jiedu (拓东节度) and Shanchan Fu (鄯阐府),[10]: 76  later under Shicheng County (石城郡).

[13]: 25  In 1255 Möngke Khan established Luomeng Wanhufu (落蒙万户府),[7]: 564  and implemented tusi system here.