Chinese Name: 巴中市 (bā zhōng shì)

Population: 3,600,000  

Area: 12,325 square kilometers (4,759 square miles) 

Nationalities: Han 

Administrative Hierarchy: 1 district (Bazhou); 2 counties (Tongjiang, Nanjiang, Pingchang)   

Seat of the City Government: 10, New Jiangbei Zone, Bazhou District, Bazhong City

Useful Telephone Numbers: Tourist Complaints: 0827-96927
                                            Weather Forecast: 121
                                             Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Bank of China Bazhong Branch: Jiangbei Lu, Bazhou District, Bazhong City 

China Post Bazhong Branch: Baiyuntai, Jiangbei Lu, Bazhou District, Bazhong City

Location: Situated in the northeast of Sichuan Province, Bazhong City is bordered by Hanzhong of Shaanxi Province in the north, and in neighborhood of Dazhou, Nanchong and Guangyuan respectively in the east, south and west with in the province.        

History: The first county in Bazhong's administrative history was established one thousand nine hundred years ago during the Eastern Han Dynasty (24-220). Bazhong was elevated from county to City status in 1993.       
 
Physical Features: Situated on the northern fringe of the Sichuan Basin and at the southern foot of Mt. Micang of the Daba Mountain range, its terrain is generally inclined on a north south axis. It is possible to divide the city into three morphologic regions: medium mountain area in the southern slop of Micang Mountain; the low mountain area in northern Bazhong and hilly area to the south.                 

Climate: The city enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate, and the weather on the plain and mountainous regions differs from each other greatly. Its annual average temperature is around 17℃ (62.6℉) with the common features of Bazhong's climate being warm winters, an early spring, hot summers and cool autumns. It is rainy in summer and autumn, especially during June to September.   
     
When to Go: spring and autumn

Special Local Products: tremella (white fungi), Chuanming ginseng, walnut, honeysuckle

 Attractions:
Guangwu Mountain rises in Nanjiang County at the convergence of Sichuan and Shaanxi Provinces. The mountain resort is characterized by elegant peaks covered with flourishing plants, and is reputed as the top natural scenic spots of Bazhong City. 

Nuoshui River flows through the north of Tongjiang County and recorded as a national key scenic areas in 2004. Strange rock formations, waterfalls, limestone caves and underground rivers are scatter all around this scenic area. It contains three scenic zones respectively with limestone caves, gorges and forest as their themes. Visitors can go boating in the caves and admire the spectacle of stalagmites and stalactites within. 

Nankan Scenic Area is located at Nankan Mountain in the southern suburb of Bazhong, containing Nankan Park and statues of the Buddha within a cliff face. The first niches were cut during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). No less than intact 122 niches containing 1800 statues of the Buddha are in existence along cliff face. 

Other Scenic spots: Micangshan Forest Park

Travel Tips:
1. Departing from the South Gate of city, Nankan Mountain arrival is just a few minutes away via a winding road. Guangwu Mountain is another large red leaf area of Sichuan with autumn being the best season to view the red leaved trees that adorn the mountains. 

2. People usually choose the airport of Chongqing as the transfer station for relatively short distance. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport opperates direct bus lines from the airport to Bazhong city, with the journey taking six hours. Passengers can also take regular bus to Bazhong from downtown Chongqing. Take the Bus from Chongqing Bus Station at 12, Caiyuan Lu. 

3. From Chengdu Beimen (North Gate) Bus Station at 197, northern fourth section, First Ring Road, buses will arrive in Bazhong after a journey of eight hours. 

4. Jiangbei Bus Station in Binhe Lu of New Jiangbei Zone is the only bus station of the city offering both intercity and inter-provincial passenger transport services.