Bao'an County, originally established as Xin'an County, served as a significant administrative unit in the Pearl River Delta region of South China. For centuries, the county played a vital role in local governance and regional development, with its administrative seat traditionally situated in the town of Nantou.
The geographical footprint of the county is particularly notable for its historical overlap with the modern urban centers of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. As the region underwent rapid modernization and political shifts, the administrative boundaries of the county were redefined, eventually leading to the dissolution of the historical entity as the area transitioned into the contemporary metropolitan landscapes seen today.