He became administrator of the region, but after thirty years of service in the west, Pan Ch'ao grew homesick. He sent a memorial to the emperor requesting permission to return home, but was denied.
由於班超出使西域的事功卓越，沒有他人可以取代，遂為皇帝冊封為定遠侯，留守西域卅一年，一直未曾回家。