It is under the administration of the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and as of 2001[update], had a population of 46,900 residing in an area of 7,546 square kilometres (2,914 sq mi).

By road it is 219 km (136 mi) from Kangding, the prefectural seat, and 585 km (364 mi) from Chengdu, the provincial capital.

It borders the counties of Xinlong to the west, Kangding and Yajiang to the south, and Jinchuan and Zamtang of Ngawa Prefecture as well as Luhuo to the north.

In January 1981 it was struck by an earthquake.

Dawu County is divided into 7 towns and 12 townships: See this link for a book-length study of a Tibetan village in Dawu County: This Sichuan location article is a stub.