Yunxian is know as colofurl l cloud. Yunxian located in the south of Yunlin, so get the name.  In Western Han Dynasty  it belongs to the ancient Ailao(哀牢). From Eastern Han to the Three Kingdoms period belongs to Yongchang County（永昌郡）. Western Jin belonged to Yongchang County. East Jinzhi belonged to Liang（梁）, from Sui Northern dynasty to Zhou belonged to Pu unit（濮部）. Nanzhao county of belonged to Yongcahng., Dali in Song dynasty belonged to Qingdian(庆甸). Calendar year (1328) set t Tongzhou, belongs Shun Ning mansion. Hongwu fifteen years (1381) into Shunning(顺宁)；Yongle reign (1403) is set Mjor Hou Zhangguan Division；Xuande three years (1428) set Dahou Yu Yi state, directly under the Chief Secretary；Wanli 25 years (1597) down to Yun state, changing Shunning mansion. Early Qing and Ming dynasty use the system,.(1597）.Yongzheng Eight years (1730) set West Road, belong to Shun Ning mansion.

In 2 years (1913) July 19, changing the state ase Yunxian County, Yunxian belongs to western Yunnan Road. Yi West Road changed Dianxi road, Yunxian belongs to Dianxi Road .In 3 years (1914), Dianxi Road changed its name to theTengyue Road, Yunxian belongs to Tengyue road .In 31 years (1942), Yunxian belongs to Ninth Chief Inspector the Yunnan Province (in Shunning County). 37 years (1948) Yunxian belongs to Ninth Chief Inspector the Yunnan Province (in Myanmar County).

February 16, 1950, Yunxian County People's Government establish, and set Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture . Dali area originally hosted by the Lincang area jurisdiction change to Yunxian (June 30, 1956, the Yunnan Provincial Committee, August 1 officially led by the Lincang Prefecture). belongs to Dali prefecture. November 16, 1956, the 40th plenary meeting of the State Council decided: revocation of Dali Prefecture ,February 1959, Yunxian and Fengqing County merged into Yunfeng County; Yunfeng County is divided  in October and restore the original system。

In 1970, the Lincang prefecture instead Lincang area and Yunxain belongs to Lincang Prefecture . December 5, 1991, awarded to the Ministry of Civil Affairs [81] approved: Due to  Yunxian is low proportion of the population, the state should not set up YunYi Autonomous County, remains Yunxian establishment. December 2003, Lincang withdrawal to a city, Yunxian belongs to Lincang.

In 1996, Yunxian County coveres an area of 3760 square kilometers, has population about 38.8 million . Having  Jurisdiction over 3 towns, 11 townships: Aihua Township(爱华镇) Manwan Township(漫湾镇)  Da Chaoshan Township(大朝山西镇)Yongbao Township( 涌宝镇) Maolao Township(茂兰镇 ) Xingfu Township(幸福镇) Dazhai Township(大寨镇) Manghuai Village  (忙怀乡) Xiaojie Village( 晓街乡 ) Chafang Village(茶房乡) Lishu Village( 栗树乡 ) Houqin Yi Village(后箐彝族乡) .The county government in the Aihua Township(爱华镇)

 In 2006, Yunxiancovers an total area of 3760 square kilometers. The total population is 43.95 million. Having Jurisdiction over 7 towns, 5 townships (of which three townships)：Aihua Township(爱华镇) Manwan Township(漫湾镇)  Da Chaoshan Township(大朝山西镇)Yongbao Township( 涌宝镇) Maolao Township Xingfu Township(幸福镇) Dazhai Township(大寨镇) Manghuai Village  (忙怀乡) Xiaojie Village( 晓街乡 ) Chafang Village(茶房乡) Lishu Village( 栗树乡 ) Houqin Yi Village(后箐彝族乡).There are two committees, 190 administrative villages. The county government in the Aihua Township(爱华镇)