Human habitation of Yibin dates back at least 4,000 years. Yibin was established as a county in the Han dynasty (206 BC − AD 220). Under the Ming and Qing, the town and its hinterland was known as Xuzhou Commandery pXùzhōufǔ), which was variously romanized as Suifu, "Formerly called Suifu." Suifoo, and Suchow. Its population around 1907 was estimated at 50,000.
