Dazhou Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 达州 (dá zhōu)
Population: 5,720,000
Area: 16,600 square kilometers (6,409 square miles)
Location: in the northeast of Sichuan Province, southwest China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Tongchuan, Dachuan); 4 counties (Xuanhan, Kaijiang, Dazhu, Quxian); 1 county-level city (Wanyuan)
Area Code: 0818
Zip Code: 635000
GDP (2019): CNY 204.15 billion (USD 29.59 billion)

Situated in the northeast of Sichuan Province, Dazhou is bounded to the north by Shaanxi Province, by Chongqing to the south, Nanchong to the west and the Three Gorges Dam Project to the east. The superior location and developed transportation system make Dazhou the main hub of highway transportation and the regional sub hub city of Sichuan Province. Relying on rich natural gas resources, Dazhou is a western natural gas energy and chemical industry base. It also sends more than 10 billion cubic meters of gas to eastern China every year. Because the annual output of sulfur from natural gas purification is 4 million tons, Dazhou is also known as the largest sulfur production base in Asia. Dazhou’s natural scenery is very beautiful and highlights lush mountains and canyons. This city is full of historical relics such as temples, pagodas and stone sculptures.

 Han Dynasty Watchtowers: Grave Steles of the Han Dynasty (206BC-221BC) along the ancient bridle-road that is no more than ten kilometers (6.2 miles)

 Zhenfo Mountain: A far-famed Buddhist shrine in Daxian County famous for the temple group that was first established in 1810 of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) 

 Other Scenic Spots: Bailixia Scenic Area, Tieshan Forest Park, Batai Mountain, Quxian Confucius Temple

Dazhou Heshi Airport is located 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) southwest of downtown Dazhou. Currently, over 12 air routes have been opened here, and the destinations include large cities in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Kunming, Chengdu, and Hangzhou. You can take city bus travelling between airport and Dazhou City.

Dazhou Baijie Airport will be put into use in the late of 2019. It  is about 19 kilometers (about 12 miles) from Dachuan District. As a substitute of Dazhou Heshi Airport, it will be the largest airport in northeast Sichuan Province.

Through the expressway, Chongqing and Chengdu can be reached from Dazhou in two and four hours respectively. From the Jinsi Jie in Nanwai Town of Tongchuan District, buses to Chengdu and Chongqing will depart every an hour. 

The city bears a subtropical monsoon climate with the annual average temperature of 14.7℃-17.6℃ (58.5℉-63.7℉). Dazhou weather is humid and moderate. Visitors can visit the city at any time during the year, especially in the period from March to October. 

 History: Although administrative history of Dazhou can be traced back to the establishment of the Dangqu County in 314BC, it is a young city. It was separated from Bazhong and act as a regional level city in 1999.

 Physical Features: Dazhou is located at the south foot of the Daba Mountains with its terrain higher in the northeastern mountainous area and lower in the southeastern hilly and basin area.
 
 Special Local Products: translucent beef slices (Dengying Beef), Sanhui Fruit Vinegar, fritillary bulb, pomelo