The name Hulao, or "Tiger Cage", came to be when King Mu of Zhou trapped a tiger in this place. It also had the name of Wulao Pass () at one time in the Tang dynasty, due to a naming taboo — the grandfather of Emperor Gaozu of Tang was named Li Hu.
Hulao, which translates to "Tiger Cage," got its name when King Mu of Zhou caught a tiger there. It was also referred to as Wulao Pass () in the Tang dynasty because of a naming restriction – Emperor Gaozu's grandfather bore the same name as Li Hu.