Shatian District was inhabited in the Ming Dynasty at the latest (1368- 1644). People who came to Sha Tin earlier are called locals. They moved more from the mainland than in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and established villages with rich water resources and fertile land, such as Jichengwei (Dawei), Xiaoliyuan and Tian Xin Wei. Later, Hakkas, who moved in, often only built villages on hillsides, halfway up the mountain or even on the top of the mountain.

Dawei Village, built in 1574, is the largest and oldest walled village in Shatin District. Sha Tin Tai Wai, formerly known as Chi Wai, is the largest walled village in Sha Tin. So it is called "Dawei". Dawei Village is the oldest walled village among more than a dozen villages in Sha Tin, with a history of more than 400 years.

Sha Tin originally belonged to Tai Po District. Since the government began to develop Sha Tin, Sha Tin District has been separated from Tai Po District and Sai Kung District.

Sha Tin New Town reclaimed land, and the sea areas on both sides of Sha Tin Sea were reclaimed from seawalls and gradually turned into land, while the remaining deep water area in the center became an extension of the original Chengmen River.