Abstract:In the context of global digital transformation, the integration of digital economy and real economy(IDR)is the key to promoting high-quality economic development. During g the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), IDR in China showed an upward trend but urgently needs further improvement. The construction of the big data comprehensive pilot zone, as an important big data policy practice, has not received sufficient attention to its impact on the integration of data and reality. This article is based on panel data of Chinese cities from 2011 to 2021. The entropy weight TOPSIS method and coupling coordination model were used to measure the IDR in 227 cities in China. The staggered difference-in-differences model and mediation effect model were used to verify the promotion effect and mechanism of the IDR in the big data comprehensive pilot zone. Multiple robustness tests were conducted and the differentiated results in different city sizes, geographical locations, and establishment batches were tested. The results indicate that the construction of the big data comprehensive pilot zone can promote the IDR, and its impact gradually increases over time; The big data comprehensive pilot zone promotes the IDR by promoting technological innovation, enhancing entrepreneurial activity, and upgrading industrial structure; The promotion effect of the IDR in the big data comprehensive pilot zones is more pronounced in medium-sized and above cities, coastal areas, and areas where the second batch of pilot zones are established.