The Daxia River starts in eastern Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai, then flows easterly through northern Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture where its drainage basin covers large parts of Hezuo County-level City and Xiahe County. It then flows northeast into Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, where it is crosses the breadth of Linxia County, and Linxia City. Its lower course forms the border between Linxia County and the neighbouring Dongxiang Autonomous County to the east.