The tribes in the Datong area during the Xia Dynasty were called Xunyu, during the Shang Dynasty they were called Guifang, and during the Western Zhou Dynasty they were called Beirong.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Datong region was inhabited by the Northern Di people. The area from Datong to the Hetao region of Inner Mongolia was the domain of the Lin Hu people. During the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Yao enfeoffed Xihe's son as the Elder of the Northern Mountain, and his two sons, Heshu and Shishu, came to reside there. In the Classic of Mountains and Seas, ancient Datong was the ancient state of Ping. Tang of Shang enfeoffed a member of the same clan in this area and established a state on behalf of his son.

During the Warring States period, the Datong region belonged to the State of Dai, which was later incorporated into the territory of Zhao. According to the *Records of the Grand Historian*, in the chapter on the Zhao family, Zhao Xiangzi ascended the Xiawu Mountain in the north to invite the King of Dai. He then had a cook use a bronze halberd to kill the King of Dai, and subsequently raised an army to pacify the Dai region. It also records: "(In the twenty-sixth year of King Wuling of Zhao's reign (300 BC), he again attacked Zhongshan, expanding his territory north to Yan and Dai, and west to Yunzhong and Jiuyuan." The *Records of the Grand Historian*, in the chapter on the Xiongnu, states: "King Wuling of Zhao also changed customs and adopted Hu clothing, practiced riding and archery, defeated the Linhu and Loufan in the north, and built the Great Wall. From Dai, along the foot of Yinshan Mountain, to Gaoque, he established the Yunzhong, Yanmen, and Dai commanderies." Yanmen Commandery (south of present-day Youyu County, Shuozhou City) was named after Yanmen Mountain. Dai Commandery (northeast of present-day Wei County, Hebei Province) was named after the State of Dai. Its territory was part of Yanmen Commandery, and its eastern part belonged to Dai Commandery. At that time, the cities included: Pingyi (now Xubao Village), Xincheng (also known as Xiaopingcheng, located in the southwest of present-day Shuozhou), Yanling (now Xinping in present-day Zhenjiang), Pingshu (now Pingcheng in Guangling), Wuzhou Sai (now the ancient city of Zuoyun), and Pingcheng (now the west bank of the Yuhe River north of Datong City, named for praying for peace and well-being).

In 229 BC, the 18th year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, Qin attacked Zhao and conquered it the following year. Prince Jia led several hundred members of his clan to flee to Dai Commandery, where he declared himself King of Dai. In 222 BC, the 25th year of King Zheng's reign, Qin sent Wang Ben to attack Dai, capturing King Jia and ending the Zhao dynasty. In 221 BC, the 26th year of King Zheng's reign, Qin Shi Huang unified China, abolished the feudal system, and established commanderies and counties, setting up 36 commanderies nationwide. The area now encompassing Datong was the territory of Yanmen and Dai Commanderies. Cities recorded at that time included Pingcheng, Dai, Shanwu, Yanling, Pingshu, Wuzhou Pass, Xincheng, Banshi, and Mayi.

The Western Han Dynasty continued the Qin Dynasty's prefecture-county system, and the area remained part of Yanmen and Dai prefectures. Yanmen prefecture belonged to Bingzhou, with its capital at Shanwu, and governed 14 counties: Shanwu, Woyang, Fanshi, Zhongling, Yinguan, Loufan, Wuzhou, Tao, Juyang, Guo, Lue, Mayi, Qiangyin, and Pingcheng. Pingcheng was the seat of the Eastern Commandant. Dai prefecture belonged to Youzhou, with its capital at Sanggan, and governed 18 counties, 10 of which were located within present-day Datong: Daoren, Gaoliu, Banshi, Xishi, Pingshu, Yanling, Lingqiu, Qieru, Pingyi, and Canhe.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, each prefecture was headed by a governor, later changed to an inspector. The Datong area comprised the territory of Yanmen and Dai commanderies. Yanmen Commandery belonged to the Bingzhou Inspectorate, with its capital at Yinguan, and comprised 14 counties, four of which are now within Datong City: Fanshi, Wuzhou, Guo, and Pingcheng. Dai Commandery belonged to the Youzhou Inspectorate, with its capital at Gaoliu, and comprised 11 counties, six of which are now within Datong City: Gaoliu, Daoren, Banshi, Xishi, Beipingyi, and Pingshu. During the Jianwu era, the Lu Fang Rebellion led to the abolition of the eight border tribes, and the people of Yanmen and Dai commanderies were relocated to the east of Changshan Pass and Juyong Pass. In the 27th year of Jianwu (51 AD), the commanderies were re-established, with the capital of Yanmen Commandery moved from Shanwu to Yinguan, and the counties remaining under its jurisdiction. Dai Commandery was headed at Gaoliu. "During the Jian'an era, You and Bing counties were incorporated into Ji Province, and the five commanderies of Yunzhong and Dingxiang were abolished. Xinxing Commandery was established on the border of Taiyuan, with one county under its jurisdiction. Pingcheng County was separately established south of Gouzhu Pass and placed under its jurisdiction." At the end of the Han Dynasty, the world was in chaos, and the land north of the pass was abandoned as a desolate frontier. In the twentieth year of Jian'an (215), Cao Cao attacked the Wuhuan and pacified the Dai region. He gathered the people of the northern commanderies and counties and established Pingcheng County five li east of present-day Dai County, under the jurisdiction of Xinxing Commandery of Ji Province.

In the first year of the Huangchu era of the Wei Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period (220), Bingzhou was re-established, and Pingcheng belonged to Yanmen Commandery of Bingzhou. Whether it belonged to Pingcheng of Xinxing Commandery of Jizhou or Pingcheng of Yanmen Commandery of Bingzhou, they were different places with the same name and were not the present-day Datong. The Datong area was occupied by the Wuhuan and Xianbei.

During the Western Jin Dynasty, the northern part of Datong was the territory of the Xianbei people, while the southern part was the territory of Yanmen Commandery. At that time, the commandery was moved to Guangwu, and the counties under its jurisdiction were: Guangwu, Guo, Tao, Pingcheng, Junren, Fanshi, Yuanping, and Mayi. In the fourth year of Yongjia (310) of the Western Jin Dynasty, Liu Kun, the governor of Bingzhou, wrote to Emperor Huai of Jin, requesting that Tuoba Yilu be enfeoffed as the Duke of Dai, because of Tuoba Yilu's merit in the rescue. In the first year of Jianxing (313) of the Western Jin Dynasty, Tuoba Yilu established Shengle as the northern capital and repaired the old Pingcheng of Qin and Han as the southern capital. Pingcheng was restored to its original state and belonged to the Dai State.

In the first year of the Tianxing era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (398), Tuoba Gui moved the capital from Shengle to Pingcheng, changed his title to Emperor, and established Sizhou and Daiyin, with the capital Pingcheng as his seat. He relocated 3,000 families of officials, magistrates, and commoners from six prefectures and twenty-two counties to Dai County. He carried out a series of large-scale capital construction projects, including "building palaces, ancestral temples, and altars of the gods of the land and grain." The following month, an edict was issued to "rectify the boundaries of the capital region and define the suburbs," delineating the area of ​​the capital region as: "east to Dai County, west to Shanwu, south to Yinguan, and north to Canhe." The suburbs were defined as: "east to Shanggu Jundu Pass, west to the Yellow River, south to Zhongshan Aimen Pass, and north to Wuyuan, covering a distance of one thousand li." He also established four directions and four corners, and appointed eight commanders to guard them. Pingcheng consisted of the palace city, the capital city, and the outer city. In the first year of the Yanhe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (432), Sizhou was renamed Wannian Yin. In the third year of the Huangxing era (469), Pingqi County was established west of the city, but was soon abolished. The Northern Wei dynasty once established Gucheng County in the southern suburbs of Pingcheng, under the jurisdiction of Dai Commandery, but it was soon abolished. In the eighteenth year of the Taihe era (494), after moving the capital to Luoyang, the Northern Wei established Hengzhou, with its capital at Pingcheng, governing 6 commanderies and 14 counties. Dai Commandery was located in Pingcheng, governing Pingcheng, Taiping (15 kilometers west of present-day Datong), Wuzhou (present-day Jiugaoshan Village), and Yonggu (present-day Zhenchuanbao, north of Datong). In the second year of the Xiaochang era (526), ​​the Six Garrisons Rebellion occurred, and Pingcheng fell and was abandoned. At the end of the Northern Wei dynasty, it split into the Eastern Wei and Western Wei.

In the first year of the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550), the Eastern Wei Dynasty was replaced by the Northern Qi Dynasty. Datong was then part of Beihengzhou and Beishuozhou, and its subordinate counties did not undergo major changes. In the seventh year of the Tianbao era, Beihengzhou was renamed Heng'an Town (present-day Datong), also known as Dongzhou City, and was under the jurisdiction of Taiping County of Hengzhou. Three thousand families of local gentry were relocated to populate the town. The following year, the town was abolished, and it reverted to Beihengzhou.

In the eighth year of the Tianbao era of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the Western Wei Dynasty was replaced by the Northern Zhou. In the sixth year of the Jiande era of the Northern Zhou (577), after the conquest of Qi, the prefectures and counties were abolished, and Heng'an Town was re-established. Shuozhou was renamed Beishuozhou General Administration. Taiping County was renamed Yunzhong County (at this time, Datong was called the beginning of Yunzhong). Lingqiu belonged to Weizhou and was the seat of Lingqiu Prefecture.

In the first year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (581), the various prefectures were changed into commanderies, and Datong became part of Mayi Commandery and Yanmen Commandery. Mayi Commandery was governed by Shanyang and included Shanyang, Shenwu, Yunnei, and Kaiyang. Yanmen Commandery was governed by Yanmen and included Yanmen, Fanshi, Guoxian, Wutai, and Lingqiu. Heng'an Town was under the jurisdiction of Yunnei County of Mayi Commandery. In the fifth year of the Kaihuang era (585), the Daizhou General Administration was established.

In the early Tang Dynasty, the prefecture-county system was implemented following the Sui Dynasty. In 621, after the defeat of Liu Wuzhou, Beiheng Prefecture was re-established in the former Heng'an Town. In 623, Wei Prefecture was established separately in Lingqiu, Yanmen County. In 624, Beiheng Prefecture was abolished. In 627, the empire was divided into 13 circuits, with Yun, Wei, and Shuo Prefectures belonging to the Hedong Circuit. Yun Prefecture was governed by Yunzhong County. Wei Prefecture was governed by Xingtang County, including Xingtang, Feihu, and Lingqiu. Shuo Prefecture was governed by Shanwu County, including Shanyang and Mayi. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, Hunyuan Prefecture was established after Hunyuan River; Ying Prefecture was established after the north-south connection of Yanmen Mountain and Longshou Mountain. In 630, Dingxiang County was established in the former Yunnei County, concurrently serving as the seat of Yun Prefecture. In 663, Yunzhong Protectorate was established. In 682, Yunzhong was defeated by the Eastern Turkic leader Mochuo, and all prefectures and counties were abolished, with the people relocated to Shuo Prefecture. In the eighteenth year of the Kaiyuan era (730), the county was re-established, and Dingxiang was renamed Yunzhong County. Beiheng Prefecture was abolished and replaced by Dongzhou City, and Yunzhou was re-established. In the first year of the Tianbao era (742), Yunzhou was renamed Yunzhong Prefecture. In the first year of the Qianyuan era (758), Yunzhong Prefecture was renamed Yunzhou. In the third year of the Huichang era (843), Yunzhou and Weizhou were incorporated into Datong Circuit, abolished from their jurisdiction over Hedong, and a Commander of the Capital Militia was established, governing Yunzhou. In the tenth year of the Xiantong era (869), the Datong Military Commission was established. In the second year of the Zhonghe era (882), the Datong Military Commission was renamed the Yanmen Military Commission. In the fourth year of the Zhonghe era, Yunzhou was again placed under the jurisdiction of Hedong Circuit. After the Zhide era of the Tang Dynasty, the military governors of the Central Plains were in charge of military affairs, and the Datong Defense Commissioner was led by the governor of Yunzhou, governing the three prefectures of Yun, Wei, and Shuo.

During the Five Dynasties period, the area was occupied by the Later Tang Dynasty, and its administrative divisions remained largely unchanged. Yunzhong County was the seat of Yunzhou, under the jurisdiction of Hedong Circuit. Li Keyong met with Yelü Abaoji of the Khitan in the eastern city of Yunzhou, exchanged robes and horses, and became sworn brothers. Taking the meaning of "cherishing the benevolent people," the county was renamed Huai Ren County. In the second year of Tongguang of the Later Tang Dynasty (924), Guangling County (now Guangling County) was established by separating it from Xingtang County of Weizhou. In the third year of Tongguang, Yunzhou was again designated as the military governor of Datong.

In the second year of Tianfu (937) of the Later Jin Dynasty, Liao occupied Yunzhou. Initially, it was the military governor of Datong. In the thirteenth year of Chongxi (1044), Yunzhou was renamed Xijing, and Datong Prefecture of Xijing Circuit was established. In the seventeenth year of Chongxi, Datong County was established by separating it from Yunzhong, becoming a secondary capital of Liao. The Liao Xijing Circuit governed: Datong Prefecture, with its capital at Datong. It administered 2 prefectures and 7 counties: Hongzhou, Dezhou, Datong County, Yunzhong, Tiancheng, Changqing, Fengyi, Huairen, and Huaian Counties. Weizhou, with its capital at Weizhou, governed Lingxian, Ding'an, Feihu, Lingqiu, and Guangling. Yingzhou, with its capital at Jincheng, governed Jincheng, Hunyuan, and Heyang. Shuozhou, with its capital at Shanyang, governed Shanyang, Wuzhou, Ningyuan, Mayi, and Shenwu.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, the Datong region was governed by a three-tiered system of circuits, prefectures, and counties, with 15 circuits established nationwide. In the fifth year of the Xuanhe era (1123), the Yunzhong Prefecture Circuit was pre-established, with its capital at Yunzhong Prefecture. It governed Yunzhong and eight other prefectures: Wu, Ying, Shuo, Wei, Fengsheng, Guihua, Ru, and Gui, collectively known as the "Nine Prefectures Behind the Mountains" along with Yunzhou. This was a pre-established territory for the Song-Jin alliance to attack the Liao Dynasty. Later, the Jin Dynasty broke its promise. Apart from Wu, Ying, Shuo, and Wei prefectures, which briefly returned to the Song Dynasty in the fifth year of the Xuanhe era but were soon taken back by the Jin, Xijing (the Western Capital) only entered Song territory for three months in the third year of the Yongxi era (986) when Yang Ye, the military governor of Yunzhou, captured it.

In 1122, during the second year of the Baoda era of the Jin-Liao dynasty, Jin Zonghan captured Datong Prefecture, still designating Datong as Xijing (Western Capital). The Xijing Circuit was renamed Xijing Road, with the prefectural and county seats remaining unchanged. Xijing Road governed 2 prefectures, 7 military districts, 8 prefectural commanderies, 39 counties, and 9 towns. In 1141, during the first year of the Huangtong era, Xijing Road was placed under the jurisdiction of the Marshal's Office, and the former Military Command was established. In 1150, during the second year of the Tiande era of the Jin dynasty, it was renamed the Xijing Road General Administration Office, later replaced by a Garrison Command. A Transport Commissioner and the Zhongdu Xijing Road Judicial Commission were also established. Datong Prefecture governed 7 counties: Datong, Yunzhong, Xuanning, Huaian, Tiancheng, Baideng, and Huairen. Fengyi County was abolished and merged into Datong.

In the early Yuan Dynasty, Datong was still called Xijing. In 1212, the seventh year of Genghis Khan's reign, a police patrol office was established. In 1265, the second year of the Zhiyuan era, Yunzhong County was merged into Datong. The Yuan Dynasty divided the city into four levels: province, circuit, prefecture (state), and county. In 1250, the Datong Prefecture of Xijing Circuit was renamed Datong Circuit, under the jurisdiction of the Xuanwei Commissioner's Office of the Hedong and Shanxi Circuits of the Central Secretariat, governing one administrative office and eight prefectures. The administrative office was the Records Office, located in Datong. The subordinate counties were Datong, Baideng, Xuanning, Pingdi, and Huairen; the eight prefectures were Hong, Hunyuan, Ying, Shuo, Wu, Feng, Dongsheng, and Yunnei. Shangdu Circuit governed present-day Datong and parts of Hebei. The seat of Shunning Prefecture was Weizhou, governing Lingxian, Feihu, Ding'an, Lingqiu, and Guangling. The Yuan Dynasty renamed Tiancheng as Tiancheng County, under the jurisdiction of Xuande Prefecture. Later, it was under the jurisdiction of Xinghe Circuit. In 1300, the fourth year of the Dade era, a military settlement was established at Huanghualing in Xijing. In the sixth year of the Dade era, the Wanhu Prefecture was established.

In 1369, during the second year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, Left Deputy General Chang Yuchun captured Datong. The Ming Dynasty's administrative divisions consisted of a four-tiered system: province, prefecture, state, and county. In 1379, Datong Circuit was renamed Datong Prefecture, under the jurisdiction of the Shanxi Provincial Government. In 1380, it was renamed the Provincial Administration Commission. Datong Prefecture was headquartered in Datong County, governing four states (Hunyuan, Ying, Shuo, and Wei) and seven counties (Datong, Huai'ren, Mayi, Shanyin, Guangling, Lingqiu, and Guangchang). Xuanning County was merged into Datong County. The Ming Dynasty implemented a garrison system. In 1385, the Datong Garrison was established, headquartered in Baiyang City. In 1389, it was renamed the Shanxi Provincial Military Commission. In 1396, the garrison was moved to Datong. Initially, it commanded twenty-six garrisons, its jurisdiction extending east to Juyong Pass near Beijing, west to Pianguan Pass where the Yellow River bends, north to Fengzhou Beach, and south to Yanmen Pass, stretching over a thousand kilometers east to west and several hundred kilometers north to south. Its vast territory was the largest among the nine border regions. The rear guard consisted of fourteen units: Datong Vanguard, Rear Guard, Left Guard, Right Guard, Yanghe, Tiancheng, Weiyuan, Pinglu, Yunchuan, Yulin, Zhenlu, Gaoshan, Xuande, and Dongsheng. In the 29th year of the Hongwu reign (1380), a branch guard was established to defend the Jibei Circuit, stationed in Datong. During the Jiajing reign (1520), the post was moved to Shuozhou. In the 6th year of the Yongle reign (1408), a governor-general was appointed. In the 7th year of the Yongle reign (1408), the Datong Garrison was established, with a garrison commander-in-chief as its highest commander. In the 7th year of the Chenghua reign (1471), a governor was appointed. In the 8th year of the Zhengde reign (1513), a general was appointed, governing 13 guard posts, 823 forts, and 307 watchtowers. Datong was divided into 4 circuits, governing 9 routes, with a maximum garrison of 135,778 soldiers and 51,654 warhorses, earning it the reputation of "Datong's cavalry being the best in the world."

The Qing Dynasty's Datong Prefecture was located in Datong County. Initially, following the Ming Dynasty system, it governed four prefectures and seven counties, under the jurisdiction of the Shanxi Provincial Administration Commission. Later, it became Shanxi Province. In the thirteenth year of the Shunzhi Emperor's reign (1656), the Xuanda Governor-General was abolished, and a Shanxi Governor-General was established, residing in Datong. In the fourth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign (1665), the Governor-General was abolished, and the troops were merged into Yanmen Circuit. In the fourth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign (1726), Shuoping Prefecture was established in Youyulin Guard, and the Ming Dynasty guard posts were abolished. Tianzhen Guard was renamed Tianzhen County, Yanggao Guard was renamed Yanggao County, Zuoyunchuan Guard was renamed Zuoyun County, Youyulin Guard was renamed Youyu County, and Pinglu Guard was renamed Pinglu County. Datong County, the seat of Datong Prefecture, governed Hunyuan, Yingzhou, Datong, Huairen, Shanyin, Yanggao, Tianzhen, Guangling, and Lingqiu prefectures, seven counties, and Fengzhen Subprefecture. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, Datong County governed 580 villages: 194 villages east of the city, 177 villages south of the city, 91 villages west of the city, and 118 villages north of the city. Shuoping Prefecture was located in Youyu County, and governed Youyu, Zuoyun, Pinglu, Shuozhou, and Mayi.

In 1912, the first year of the Republic of China, Datong was abolished as a prefecture but remained a county, under the jurisdiction of the Northern Circuit Commissioner. In May of the second year of the Republic of China, the Yanmen Circuit was established, with its capital at Datong, governing 13 counties in Yanbei and 13 counties in Xinxian area, totaling 26 counties. Later, the Northern Jin Garrison Commander was stationed in Datong. In 1927, after the abolition of the circuit, Datong became a county directly under Shanxi Province, comprising 5 administrative districts, 9 subdistricts, and 585 villages.

During the Anti-Japanese War, the Datong area was administratively divided into three types. **Japanese Puppet Army Administrative Division:** On September 13, 1937, the Japanese Kwantung Army occupied Datong City. Datong County was divided into 2 subdistricts and 22 joint villages. **Kuomintang Administrative Division:** From September 1937 to December 1939, Datong was designated as the First and Second Administrative Districts of Shanxi Province. The First Administrative District was headquartered in Wutai, and comprised 17 counties, including Lingqiu, Guangling, Hunyuan, Yingxian, Shanyin, Huairen, Datong, Yanggao, and Tianzhen (9 counties in the Datong area). The Second Administrative District was headquartered in Kelan, and comprised 13 counties, including Shuoxian, Pinglu, Zuoyun, and Youyu (4 counties in the Datong area). In August 1945, Datong came under the rule of the Kuomintang government under Yan Xishan, and its original county system was restored. It remained under the jurisdiction of Shanxi Province, comprising 5 districts and 86 villages. A garrison command and a city defense command were established, forming the "Second War Zone Command Headquarters Datong Leading Group" in Yanbei, which governed all counties in Yanbei and was divided into the Tenth and Eleventh Special Districts. The Tenth District governed seven counties: Datong, Huai'ren, Yanggao, Tianzhen, Hunyuan, Guangling, and Lingqiu; the Eleventh District governed six counties: Youyu, Shanyin, Yingxian, Zuoyun, Pinglu, and Pianguan. The administrative inspector concurrently served as the security commander. In 1947, the military and political affairs were separated, and the Datong Administrative Office of the Shanxi Provincial Government was established. Datong County governed four districts, 30 streets, and 70 villages. The "Yanbei Special Commissioner's Office" and the "Yanbei City Defense Command" were located in Datong City. By 1948, the governments of 13 counties in Yanbei had fled to Datong, and 22 Kuomintang administrative organizations, 7 party organizations, and 11 intelligence agencies were concentrated in Datong City.

Administrative divisions under the leadership of the Communist Party: Dongyanbei, at the end of 1937, belonged to the Political Directorate of the Eighteen Counties of Northeast Shanxi. In June 1938, it was changed to the Northeast Shanxi Administrative Inspectorate. In February 1940, the Second Inspectorate was established, with subordinate counties including Lingqiu, Fanshi, Guangling, Hunyuan, and Yingshan. It was under the jurisdiction of the North Yue Region of the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region. Xiyanbei (west of Datong), in the winter of 1937, belonged to the Northwest Shanxi Base Area. In 1940, the Northwest Shanxi Democratic Government was established. In August 1941, it belonged to the Northwest Shanxi Administrative Office. In November 1943, it was changed to the Jin-Sui Border Region Administrative Office and placed under the jurisdiction of the Jin-Sui Border Region. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Second Inspectorate of Dongyanbei was changed to the Fifth Inspectorate, with subordinate counties including Lingqiu, Fanshi, Hunyuan, Yingxian, Daixian, Shanyin, Datong, Yanggao, and Huairen. In May 1946, the Fifth Special District was renamed the First Special District of the Hebei-Shanxi Region. In February 1949, the Jin-Sui Border Region was abolished, and Xiyanbei was designated as the Northwest Shanxi Region, with the Yanbei Branch of the Northwest Shanxi Administrative Office established.