Dazhou is a city of mountains and rivers in northeast Sichuan, sitting between Chongqing and Xi'an on a terrain that is largely mountainous. The Daba Mountains and adjacent ranges shape both the skyline and the weather: winters are short, mild and foggy, summers long, hot and humid, and most of the year's rain falls between May and September. The area's greatest attraction is its mountain scenery, from the gorges and karst landforms of Xuanhan County to the high peaks around Wanyuan.
For a visitor, the practical picture is that Dazhou is a regional transport hub: national highways, expressways and rail lines pass through it, connecting it directly with Chengdu, Xi'an, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing, and Dazhou Jinya Airport opened in 2022. The city proper is made up of two urban districts, and the sights that draw travellers — the gorges, the forest parks, the mountain — lie outside the built-up centre in the surrounding counties and townships. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, so that the day trips you want are within reach.
Best areas to stay in Dazhou
1. Tongchuan District
Tongchuan District is the central urban district and the most straightforward base for a first visit. Dazhou Museum sits at 4 Yongxing Road here, so the city's cultural collections are within the district itself. You will find the widest spread of accommodation types in this part of the city, from simple city hotels to larger international-style properties.
This area suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants to be in the middle of the urban area rather than out among the mountains. It is also the district named in connection with the Xiwai New Urban Area, where larger hotels cluster along the main avenues.
2. The Xiwai New Urban Area
The Xiwai New Urban Area is a modern part of the city, built around broad avenues such as Phoenix Avenue and Golden Dragon Avenue. It is where you find larger, full-service hotels, and it is a practical choice if you value easy road access and a quieter, newer setting over being in the older centre.
For travellers arriving or departing by rail, this area is convenient: it is about 3 kilometres from Dazhou Railway Station. It suits visitors who are using Dazhou as a stopover on a longer rail journey as much as those staying a few days.
3. Luofu Plaza area (Jinlan Road)
The area around Luofu Plaza on Jinlan Road is a commercial, square-centred part of the city where you find mid-range chain hotels. It is a good option if you want shops, services and transport connections close at hand without staying in the newest development zone.
This area suits budget-conscious and mid-range travellers who prefer a central, everyday urban setting. As with anywhere in Dazhou, plan around the summer heat and humidity if you are walking during the day.
4. Sanli Ancient Street area (Baiguo Avenue)
The Sanli Ancient Street area, along Baiguo Avenue, is another city base with chain accommodation. The name points to a heritage-style street setting, which gives the area a different character from the new urban zone while keeping you within reach of the city's services.
It suits travellers who want a walkable street atmosphere in the evenings and a mid-range base for exploring the wider prefecture by day.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: simple city hotels and guesthouse-style accommodation, most readily found in the central urban districts rather than out in the counties.
- Mid-range: chain hotels, including those clustered around squares and commercial streets such as the Luofu Plaza and Sanli Ancient Street areas.
- Splurge: larger full-service and international-style hotels, concentrated in the newer Xiwai New Urban Area and the central district.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in Tongchuan District for a first visit. It is the central urban district, it holds Dazhou Museum on Yongxing Road, and it gives you the widest choice of accommodation while keeping you connected to the roads and rail lines that lead out to the gorges, forest parks and mountains. From here you can treat the city as a comfortable base and make day trips to the scenery that draws people to this part of Sichuan.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Dazhou?
Spring and autumn avoid the extremes. Summers are long, hot and humid, with highs often above 33 °C, and over 70% of annual rainfall falls from May to September. Winters are short, mild and foggy, with little precipitation and rare snow.
How do I get to Dazhou and around the region?
Dazhou is an important river and land transport hub. National highways, expressways and rail lines connect it directly with Chengdu, Xi'an, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing, and Dazhou Jinya Airport opened in May 2022. The Xiangyu, Dazhou–Chengdu and Dacheng–Wanzhou rail lines serve the city.
Which areas suit travellers heading to the mountains and gorges?
The main natural attractions lie outside the urban districts. Bashan Grand Canyon and the Baili Gorges are in Xuanhan County, Batai Mountain is in Wanyuan City, Wufeng Mountain National Forest Park is in Dazhu County, and the Longtan River rafting course is in Wanyuan. Staying in the city and travelling out by road is the usual approach.
Is Dazhou a good base for visiting other parts of the region?
Yes. It sits centrally between Chongqing and Xi'an, and its rail and road links reach major cities across the country, which makes it workable as a stop on a longer itinerary through northeast Sichuan and into Shaanxi and Chongqing.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.