In 1954, it was assigned to Qamdo Prefecture (昌都专区), and in 1960, it was changed to Sangngak Cho County (gsang sngag chos rdzong, 桑昂曲县). In May 1966, it was renamed as Zayu County.
In 1954, the region was designated as Qamdo Prefecture, and in 1960, it became Sangngak Cho County.  It was then renamed Zayu County in May 1966.