According to the earliest records, the name Wuchuan comes from the Book of Zhou, dating from 398 AD, and the History of the Northern Dynasties.

The archaeological site at Daqingshan (大青山) village includes many artefacts from the Dayao Culture (大窑文化) and proves that the area was suitable for human habitation at that time.

Many stone tools were found there, including knives, cutters and axes, indicating that the occupants of the area were hunter-gatherers.

The king of Zhao defeated Hulinloufan and built a wall near Daqing Mountain to stop the advance of the northern tribes.

This indicates that during the period of the Northern Wei, Sui and Tang dynasties, a northern silk road existed, stretching from Xi'an to Datong to Huhhot and crossing Daqing Mountain to Wuchuan, eventually reaching the Middle East and finally Rome.

In addition, eight ancient tombs and seven ruins of towns from that period were discovered around the area of Dongtucheng along the river Qiangpan.