84 km northeast of Fengqing County, Lushi is the co-inhabited by nationalities such as Chinese Han, Yi, Miao and Bai etc.  

In the ethnic language of the Yi people, “Ah Lu” means “a small town”. In 1598, an “Ah Lu Si” (governmental office) was established. When it came to the Republic of China (1912-1949), “Ah Lu Si” had been renamed into “Lu Shi” which remains the same till today.

There is an ancient passage in the Town that was formed in the early 14th century and used to serve as the linkage between the inland of China and the frontier areas in Southwest Yunnan. 

In the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, Lushi was an important part of the South Silk Road and had developed into a stop on the Ancient Tea-Horses Trail (Road) in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and the Republic of China (1912-1949).