 Lingwu's former name is Lingzhou ().During the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Suzong of Tang (711–762) fled to Lingzhou from Maweipo during the Anshi Rebellion, where he ascended the throne with the aid of loyal bureaucrats and military supporters, only notifying his father Xuanzong after the fact.Later on, Lingzhou became part of the Western Xia (Tangut Empire, 1032-1227).