Yichun was named after the Yichun River, which is a small tributary of Tangwang River. The word Yichun means "nine" in Mongolian language. During the Shang Dynasty Yichun was a nomadic area for the Manchus. Before the Tang Dynasty, the region was inhabited by several nomad tribes in the northeastern border area of China including Sushen and Donghu. During the Qing Dynasty, Yichun was under the administration of Qiqihar in the 1890's. The region's real development began after the establishment of Manchukuo after Japanese force seized Manchuria in 1932. In November 1941, a railway from Suihua to Jiamusi was built before its branch was extended to today's Yichun district from Nancha in July 1942. In 1945, Yichun was established as Yichunjie (Yichun Street) under Tangyuan County's control. On Feb 13th, 1958 Yichun was designated a Prefecture-level city. In 1979 the City of Yichun was reinstated. Jiayin and Tieli were put into Yichun's jurisdiction.