The Shan live primarily in the Shan State of Burma; but also inhabit parts of Mandalay Division; Kachin State; and Kayin State; and in adjacent regions of China and Thailand.

The Tai-Shan people are believed to have migrated from Yunnan in China. The Shan are descendants of the oldest branch of the Tai-Shan; known as Tai Long (Great Tai) or Thai Yai (Big Thai). The Tai-Shan who migrated to the south and now inhabit modern-day Laos and Thailand are known as Tai Noi (Little Tai).

The Shan have inhabited the Shan Plateau and other parts of modern-day Myanmar as far back as the 10th century CE. The Shan kingdom of Mong Mao (Muang Mao) became a Burmese vassal state during the reign of King Anawrahta of Pagan (1044-77).