Today's Anshun belonged to the Zangke State during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC), and the Yelang State during the Warring States Period (475–221 BC).

On Nov 18, 1949, Anshun was liberated.

On March 22, 1967, the revolution committee of Anshun was founded under the influence of the "Cultural Revolution" (1966–76), and local administrative departments had to cease operations.

On Jan 1, 1979, local administrative departments resumed operations.

In 1990, the county-level Anshun city was founded.

On June 23, 2000, Anshun was approved to become a prefecture-level city, with the government located in the newly-founded Xixiu district. The city had jurisdiction over Xixiu district, five counties (Pingba, Puding Zhenning, Guanling and Ziyun), Anshun Economic-Technological Development Area and Huangguoshu Scenic Area.