武威 ('martial might') was named by Emperor Wu of Han (汉武帝) in 121 BCE to celebrate General Huo Qubing's victory over the Xiongnu. It was one of the four Hexi Corridor commanderies (河西四郡) on the Silk Road, together with 张掖，酒泉 and 敦煌.
culture
The bronze 'Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow' (马踏飞燕) - now the official tourism symbol of China - was unearthed from the Leitai Han Tomb in Wuwei in 1969.
