It was first established in 1952, possibly from elements previously part of the 18th Corps.

In December 1968 it became part of the Chengdu Military Region.

The former Tibet Military Region was reduced to the status of a district in 1971.

[1] In the 2016 reform, the Tibet Military District was raised to a direct-reporting sub-Theater grade command, partially bypassing the jurisdiction of the Western Theater Command.

The whole of Ngari Prefecture is under the jurisdiction of the Xinjiang Military District