Territory capital · China
Dabu
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Dabu: see the county museum, the Tai'an tulou and the Pingshan terraced fields; stay one night if you want a relaxed pace.
Dabu County in northern Guangdong is a small Hakka‑culture hub with modest attractions – a museum, a historic tulou, terraced fields and a ceramics zone. Most sights are within a short bus ride from the county seat, so a single day covers the highlights; add a night for a relaxed schedule or to catch slower bus connections.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–Apr (flowering terraces) and Sep–Oct (rice harvest colours)
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, occasional rain)
- Airport
- MXZ
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Dabu110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dabu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyDabu is generally safe; traffic on mountain roads can be tight, and bus schedules are limited – plan ahead.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMXZ Meizhou Meixian Airport (Bus from Dabu Bus Station to Meizhou city, then shuttle to airport (≈1 h total).).
- Getting aroundLocal buses from Dabu Bus Station reach most villages; schedules are sparse, especially for remote sites like Hua'e tulou (morning 9:50…Local buses from Dabu Bus Station reach most villages; schedules are sparse, especially for remote sites like Hua'e tulou (morning 9:50 AM…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at 90 Degree Coffee Shop¥8–12 (≈ US$2)
- BeerBeer (bottle)¥5–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- Metro or bus rideBus fare within county¥10–12 (≈ US$2)
- Museum or sight ticketTai'an tulou entry¥18 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedMid‑range 3‑star hotel, a night, per roomCN¥240 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range 3‑star hotel, a night, per roomCN¥340 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedMid‑range 3‑star hotel, a night, per roomCN¥460 (≈ US$65)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · Mid CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · High CN¥500 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MXZ Meizhou Meixian Airport (Bus from Dabu Bus Station to Meizhou city, then shuttle to airport (≈1 h total).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dabu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses from Dabu Bus Station reach most villages; schedules are sparse, especially for remote sites like Hua'e tulou (morning 9:50, afternoon 16:30). Hire a car or motor‑pedicab for Fuda Ceramics and Ruishan Ecotourism. Trains run twice daily every second day, stopping at Sanhe (≈18 km from county seat).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Meizhou city
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Bus from Dabu Bus Station, about 1 h
Visit the Meizhou Hakka Museum and try local cuisine.
Pingshan Terraced Fields
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus to Dadong, then short walk; total ≈2 h
Best in Mar–Apr or Sep–Oct; entry ¥30, golf‑cart ¥20.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Guoyuan Hotel
3‑star, rooms from ¥190, 2 km (1.2 mi) east of Dabu Bus Station.3‑star, rooms from ¥190, 1.2 mi (2 km) east of Dabu Bus Station.
Vienna Hotel Dabu
3‑star chain, rooms from ¥240, 3 km (1.9 mi) south of bus station.3‑star chain, rooms from ¥240, 1.9 mi (3 km) south of bus station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥300–450 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range 3‑star hotel1 × 1 night × CN¥340 | CN¥340 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥300 | CN¥300 |
| Bus Dabu ↔ Meizhou (one way)1 × CN¥30 · check | CN¥30 |
| Entry Pingshan Terraced Fields1 × CN¥30 · check | CN¥30 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × CN¥2,500 · check | CN¥2,500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥320 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥3,520 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,520≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights and high‑speed rail excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at 90 Degree Coffee Shop | ¥8–12 (≈ US$2) |
| Local meal (rice + vegetable) | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Beer (bottle) | ¥5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bus fare within county | ¥10–12 (≈ US$2) |
| Tai'an tulou entry | ¥18 (≈ US$3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Train service is infrequent – check the timetable before planning.
- Bus departures for remote attractions may be limited; arrive early.
- The Ruishan resort does not accept foreign guests for overnight stays.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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DabuDabu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
US consulate in Guangzhou; Chinese visa required (see /china/visa-requirements).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Dabu Bus Station → Meizhou: ≈ ¥30, about 1 h (check)
- Train Guangzhou → Dabu: ≈ ¥120, about 7 h (check)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dabu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Apr (flowering terraces) and Sep–Oct (rice harvest colours) · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, occasional rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a car‑rental option for remote sites (Fuda Ceramics, Ruishan).
- Provide a one‑day bus pass for unlimited county‑wide travel.
Sources
- officialWikidata – Dabu
- secondaryWikivoyage: Dabu, revision 5300850 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Dabu
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