After the First Emperor of Qin unified the six countries, wealthy people, businessmen and handicraftsmen gathered in Nanyang. They promoted local economic development together. The developed iron smelting industry made Nanyang one of the national centers of iron smelting.As early as 400,000 to 500,000 years ago, "Nanzhao ape men" multiplied upstream of the Baihe River. About 5,000-6,000 years ago, there appeared villages, followed by handicraft industries like agriculture, animal husbandry and pottery. During the Warring States Period, Nanyang had become one of the eight metropolitans in the whole country. Meanwhile, iron smelting appeared and silk trade started. In particular, the copper casting industry developed rapidly at a high technological level.

In the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD24) and the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25–220), the economic and cultural development in Nanyang entered a golden age. After the reigns of Zhenguan and Kaiyuan, Nanyang’s agriculture was prosperous and industry and commerce boomed.

In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the construction industry was very developed. Merchants from Shanxi, Shaanxi, Jiangsu and Zhejiang engaging in business deals in Nanyang had driven the development of local industries and commerce. Consequently, Nanyang developed into an economic center of southwest Henan. In the 10th year of the Guangxu Reign Period, Zhenping started to produce and export silk to Europe and Southeast Asia.At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Nanyang became the appanage of Zhu Cheng, the 23rd son of Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, commerce was more active in Nanyang, with businessmen coming in a continuous stream. At that time, Nanyang was so prosperous in many industries that construction, gardens, drawing, sculpture and calligraphy had developed remarkably.

On Nov 4, 1948, Nanyang was liberated.