In AD 194, the Eastern Han government established a Yongzhou Inspectorate overseeing the commanderies of Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, Dunhuang, and Xihai (西海) west of the Liang River.

In 220, amid the Three Kingdoms Era, the Wei government reconstituted the Liangzhou Inspectorate from the eight commanderies of Yong Province west of the Liang River.

[clarification needed] The situation remained the same throughout the Three Kingdoms period and Western Jin dynasty.

After the reunification of China by the Sui dynasty, Yong Province's administrative centre was permanently set at Chang'an, capital of the empire.

When the Tang dynasty was established, it was reverted for some time back to Yong Province, until Emperor Xuanzong converted it again to Jingzhao Prefecture (京兆府).