Bazhong was made a prefecture-level city in 1993. Its history, however, goes back much further. During the Xia and Shang Dynasties, it was purportedly a vassal territory of the Liang State. In the Spring and Autumn Period, it was called Bazi. In the Qin and Western Han dynasties it was called Ba County. In the Eastern Han Dynasty around the year 100 AD it was changed to Hanchang County. One hundred years later it reverted to Baxi County. Since then, it has usually either been called Liang County or Yi County. Winter is short, mild, and foggy, though actual precipitation is low. January averages 5.8 C (42.4 F), and while frost may occur, snow is rare. Summers are long, hot and humid,