During the Ming Dynasty, when Zhu Yuanzhang conquered Yunnan, there were a large number of Jiangnan Muslims among the soldiers who entered Yunnan. During the Qing Dynasty, the central government recruited a group of Hui militia from the northern provinces of the Central Plains to settle in Yunnan, and the Hui people in Yunnan spread all over Yunnan.
Shadian is located in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, where Gejiu, Mengzi and Kaiyuan meet. It is a gathering place for Muslims. Most people believe in Islam and there are several mosques. At present, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, Shadian Zhen Zhen Temple, is built in the town.