Dazhou

Dazhou is an underrated hidden gem in eastern Sichuan, with both the natural scenery of the mysterious Bashan Mountains and authentic, down-to-earth local food. Here is a detailed Dazhou travel guide to help you easily explore this “hometown of the Ba people.”

• Bashan Grand Canyon: A national AAAA-level scenic area and a classic karst canyon, combining canyon rafting, cliffside plank paths, and Tujia villages. With an average summer temperature of only 23°C, it is a great summer retreat.
• Batai Mountain: Known as the “Emei of eastern Sichuan,” it is famous for natural wonders such as seas of clouds, sunrise, and Buddha’s light. It is the first place in Sichuan to see the sunrise.
• Zhenfo Mountain: A 4A-level scenic area and a “sacred site of three teachings” combining Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Its ancient architectural complex blends with natural scenery, creating a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
• Congren Valley: One of the birthplaces of Ba culture, featuring Congren cultural relics, caves, waterfalls, and ancient plank paths. It is not heavily commercialized and is ideal for a quiet hike.
• Fenghuang Mountain Park: The largest urban park in downtown Dazhou. The mountain resembles a phoenix spreading its wings, and it is the main place to overlook the full cityscape of Dazhou and celebrate the “Yuanjiu Climbing Festival.”
• Dazhou Museum: A national second-class museum that systematically presents Dazhou’s history and culture from ancient times to the present. Its collection includes more than 10,000 cultural relics, with the “Warring States Bronze Willow-Leaf Sword” as its signature treasure.
• Sanli Ancient Street: A grand complex of antique-style buildings. By day it has an elegant historic charm, and after the lights come on at night it feels like stepping into the sleepless Tang-style city, making it especially suitable for hanfu photography.
• Lianhua Lake Wetland Park: A very large park with good greenery, broad waters, and distant mountains stretching like a belt. It is a favorite local spot for relaxing, cycling, and watching the sunset.

Must-Try Local Specialties

Dazhou cuisine has strong northeastern Sichuan characteristics: spicy, numbing, fresh, fragrant, affordable, and delicious.

• Dengying Beef: Thin as paper and translucent red, with a spicy, crisp texture. It is Dazhou’s most classic souvenir food.
• Crispy Pork Casserole Rice Noodles: A soul snack of Dazhou. The crispy pork rice noodles on Erma Road are the most famous, with tender softened crispy pork and a rich, savory broth.
• Dazhou Liangxia: A rice-based sweet dessert served with brown sugar ice water. It cools you down and eases the heat of spicy food, making it a favorite local drink.
• Dazhou Savory Meat Tangyuan: Unlike traditional sweet tangyuan, Dazhou meat tangyuan has a spicy, numbing soup base and a generous meat filling, making it a distinctive breakfast specialty.
• Qixing Pepper Braised Dishes: Made with an original oil-braising technique, especially duck necks, duck wings, and chicken feet. They are richly spicy and numbing, and pair perfectly with drinks.
• Yuan’s Flat Buns: A long-established local brand. The mashed potato bun is dense, savory, and fragrant, while the diced chicken with green pepper bun is juicy and rich. They taste best when eaten hot.

Suggested Itinerary

• Day 1 (Urban Culture and Local Life): In the morning, head to Fenghuang Mountain Park to climb up and overlook the city panorama. In the afternoon, visit Dazhou Museum to learn about Ba history. At dusk, go to Sanli Ancient Street for old-style photos, then spend the evening on Sanshenggong Food Street sampling all kinds of snacks.
• Day 2 (Natural Canyon Scenery): Drive to Bashan Grand Canyon to experience the cliffside plank path and glass bridge, and take in the dramatic karst landscape. In the afternoon, relax and breathe in the fresh air in the valley, then return to the city in the evening.
• Day 3 (Sunrise Above the Clouds and Ancient Temple): Get up early and head to Batai Mountain to wait for the sunrise over the sea of clouds. In the afternoon, visit Zhenfo Mountain to experience the tranquility of its three-teachings culture, then return home with plenty of memories.

Accommodation and Transportation Guide

• Accommodation Suggestions: Tongchuan District or the area near Sanshenggong Food Street is the top choice, with food right downstairs, convenient transportation, and many hotels and homestays. If you plan to visit Bashan Grand Canyon or watch the sunrise at Batai Mountain, you can book a homestay near the scenic area.
• External Transportation: By air, you can arrive at Dazhou Jinya Airport, about 20 kilometers from the city center. High-speed rail and regular trains are available at Dazhou Railway Station, which is in the central urban area and very convenient from Chengdu and Chongqing.
• Urban Transportation: Dazhou has no metro or shared bicycles. Getting around mainly relies on buses and taxis. Taxi fares within the city are very affordable, while self-driving or hiring a car is recommended for nearby scenic areas.

Pitfalls and Notes

• Mountain Temperature Differences: Mountain attractions such as Batai Mountain and Bashan Grand Canyon have large temperature differences between morning and evening. Be sure to bring a windproof, warm jacket when watching the sunrise or visiting the canyon.
• Comfortable Clothing: Dazhou has many uphill and downhill streets, lots of pedestrian overpasses, and most scenic areas involve mountain paths, so be sure to wear comfortable, non-slip athletic shoes.
• Weather Check: Before going rafting on Longtan River or watching the sunrise at Batai Mountain, be sure to check the weather forecast in advance. After rain, mountain roads can be slippery and water levels can rise sharply, creating safety risks.
• Dress Code: When visiting religious sites such as Zhenfo Mountain, please pay attention to dress requirements and avoid entering in shorts or slippers.