In Dazhou, Falling in Love with a City Because of Someone

"Dazhou Wanderlust Journal: Where Landscapes Spark Romance and Local Flavors Tell Stories"

First-time visitors to Dazhou are often captivated by its dual personality. At dawn, while mist still lingers over Phoenix Mountain, the aroma of tea already wafts from traditional teahouses. By noon, waves lap against the riverbanks as steam rises from spicy delicacies at Sansheng Palace. Come nightfall, neon lights illuminate the ancient city walls at Sanliping, where young people sway to the rhythm of Sichuan opera's face-changing performances. This city resembles a double-sided embroidery—one side showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Bashan's landscapes, the other pulsating with vibrant street life—with every story waiting around a corner.

I. Heartbeats Amidst Mountains and Waters
Dazhou Junyuan View·Dreamcorner Boutique Designer Hotel (Luofu Square Railway Station Branch)

Mount Batai defines Dazhou's skyline. At 5:30 AM, when the first sunlight pierces the sea of clouds, dewdrops on the glass walkway refract rainbows. Hold hands at the 2,273-meter "Number One Peak of Eastern Sichuan" to make wishes, watching clouds roll beneath your feet like waves making way for your love story. Don't miss the firewood chicken at the mountain's base—tender meat infused with green pepper's spice, paired with freshly baked corn cakes worth licking your fingers clean.

The Bashan Grand Canyon is nature's love letter. Ride a 138-meter sightseeing elevator to "Elephant Cave," where stalactites transform into crystal palaces under lights, and underground streams echo like heartbeats. Summer visitors can raft through thrilling rapids, while autumn travelers witness crimson leaves painting the canyon. Local Tujia singers might serenade your hike with mountain ballads.

II. Culinary Secrets in Alleyways

Dazhou's soul lives along Sansheng Palace's cobblestone lanes. Morning queues form at "Li's Steamed Lamb," where bamboo baskets yield spicy mutton paired with sour radish soup—fiery yet irresistible. Nearby, "Liu's Steamed Fish" serves fresh river fish steamed with fermented beans, even the vermicelli underneath bursting with umami. Afternoons call for "liangxia" (rice jelly "shrimp") floating in iced brown sugar syrup—a perfect summer cooler.

For authentic nightlife, Phoenix Mountain Night Market dazzles. Amid sizzling BBQ and beer, aunties weave through crowds with spicy crayfish. Try garlic-buttered crayfish—chilled for extra springiness—dipped in secret sauce for ultimate indulgence. Cap the night with Sichuan opera's face-changing magic, where each mask flip mirrors the city's surprises.

III. Whispers of Time

Dazhou Museum unlocks urban memories. Bronze Age weapons and wine vessels bear patinas that seem to retain ancient warmth. Interactive exhibits let kids "excavate" history, while adults admire artisans restoring relics with timeless precision.

Sanliping's "Forbidden City" is a new photogenic hotspot. At dusk, illuminated pseudo-classic architectures set the stage for hanfu-clad ladies carrying lanterns—a Tang dynasty dreamscape. Rent traditional costumes for photos against vermilion walls, or sip tea during storytelling sessions, savoring the city's layered past.

IV. Hidden Moments of Enchantment

Lotus Lake Wetland Park is the city's green lung. Cycle tandem around the lake where Nine-Arch Bridge's reflection dances. Post-rain, the misty lake resembles ink wash paintings. Dawn visitors might spot egrets foraging by reeds with Phoenix Mountain peeking through like a mirage.

Qu County's Han Dynasty Stone Que Towers are time fragments. These 2,000-year-old monuments still display vivid carvings of ancient life. Stand before them sharing tales of the "Hometown of Han Que," as sunlight filters through cracks to grace your faces—blending history's weight with present tenderness.

V. Starlit Sanctuaries
Dazhou Junyuan Smart Hotel offers cozy rooms with 100-inch projectors screening classics, where wooden scents and soft lighting create warmth. Mornings begin with crisp air and butler-prepared breakfasts served to birdsong.

Xieshan Lodge nestles in forests. White-walled cottages blend into nature, adorned with vintage furniture and handmade pottery. Nighttime terraces bring constellations within reach, as cricket chirps and distant streams compose lullabies to soothe urban fatigue.

When departing, grab spicy beef jerky from the railway station's old teahouse. As tunnels give way to sunlight, you'll realize Dazhou's mountains, streets, and flavors—etched into memory alongside that special someone—were never accidental. Loving a city begins when someone turns its scenery into warmth and moments into meaning.