The district was created on 30 December 2011 with its administration center located on 5 Dapeng Street, Zhongshan Road.

Dapeng New District's coastline features beaches, islands, reefs, sea cliffs, caves, bridges, columns and other maritime landforms.

It has been proclaimed the most beautiful coastal scenery in Guangdong, and is known as the Pearl of Shenzhen and Oriental Hawaii.[who?]

The Nan'ao coastal area is popular with tourists as well as local fishermen while the two islands of Sanmen and Laishi consist of aboriginal scenery.

Local scenic attraction Xichong is also located in the district being noted for its undeveloped beach.