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Zhaoqing (肇庆; Zhàoqìng) is a city in western Guangdong province, China, on the banks of the Xi River. Known for its karst landscapes, historic monuments and traditional Lingnan culture, it offers a quieter alternative to the larger cities of the Pearl River Delta. The city's best-known attractions include Seven Star Crags, a scenic area of limestone peaks and lakes, and Dinghu Mountain, a forested nature reserve. Visitors can also explore the ancient city wall, historic temples and riverside districts to discover Zhaoqing's long history and local culture.
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Understand
[edit | edit source]Zhaoqing (肇庆; Zhàoqìng) is a city in western Guangdong province, China, on the banks of the Xi River. It is known for its karst landscapes, historic monuments and traditional Lingnan culture. The city's best-known attractions include Seven Star Crags, Dinghu Mountain and the ancient city wall in Duanzhou District. Visitors can explore natural scenery, historic sites and local cultural attractions across the city.
History
[edit | edit source]Zhaoqing has a history of more than 2,200 years and is an important historic city in western Guangdong. Located beside the Xi River, it developed as a regional centre and became an important part of Lingnan's cultural history. In January 1994, Zhaoqing was designated by China's State Council as one of the country's National Historical and Cultural Cities.
One of the city's most prominent historic landmarks is the Zhaoqing Ancient City Wall, also known as the Song City Wall. Its construction dates back to 1053, during the Song dynasty. Although the wall has undergone repairs and changes over the centuries, much of its main structure survives. Piyun Tower is a notable structure associated with the wall.
Zhaoqing is also renowned for Duan inkstones, a traditional craft associated with the city. These inkstones are an important part of the area's cultural heritage and are used in Chinese calligraphy and ink painting.
Today, visitors can explore the ancient city wall and discover more about the city's past at local museums and cultural attractions.
Climate
[edit | edit source]Zhaoqing has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and generally milder winters. Rainfall is concentrated in the warmer months, particularly from late spring through summer. Visitors planning outdoor activities during this period should be prepared for heat, humidity and heavy rain. Spring and autumn can be more comfortable for sightseeing, although weather conditions vary.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By plane
[edit | edit source]The nearest major airport is Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), about 100 km from central Zhaoqing. Direct airport bus services connect Baiyun Airport with Zhaoqing.
By train
[edit | edit source]Zhaoqing is served by conventional and high-speed rail services.
- 1 Zhaoqing railway station (肇庆站; 肇庆火车站), No. 1 Zhanbei Road, Duanzhou District, ☏ +86 758 6161822. 24 hours. The main railway station serving central Zhaoqing. It is served by the Guangzhou–Maoming railway and Guangzhou–Zhaoqing intercity railway.
- 2 Zhaoqing East Station (肇庆东站), Yong'an, Dinghu District. Zhaoqing's high-speed railway station, serving the Guiyang–Guangzhou and Nanning–Guangzhou high-speed railways. It is adjacent to Dinghu East railway station.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Long-distance buses connect Zhaoqing with Guangzhou and other cities in Guangdong. The main long-distance bus facilities are around Zhaoqing railway station.
- Zhaoqing Long-distance Bus Terminal (肇庆长途客运站), About 100 m west of Zhaoqing railway station, Duanzhou District, ☏ +86 758 6818606. An intercity bus terminal near Zhaoqing railway station. It serves long-distance passenger routes from Zhaoqing.
- Zhaoqing Yue Yun Bus Terminal (肇庆粤运汽车总站), West side of the Zhaoqing Railway Station complex, ☏ +86 758 2235173. The main Zhaoqing Yue Yun intercity bus terminal. The terminal was relocated to the west side of the Zhaoqing Railway Station complex in 2019.
Get around
[edit | edit source]By bus
[edit | edit source]Zhaoqing has a city bus network serving the main urban districts and major attractions. Buses can be used to travel between central Zhaoqing, Xinghu Scenic Area and Dinghu District. Routes and fares may change, so check current information locally before travelling.
By taxi
[edit | edit source]Taxis are available in the urban area. Ride-hailing services are also available and can be useful for reaching attractions outside the city centre.
By bicycle
[edit | edit source]Cycling is practical around Xinghu Scenic Area and some roads near Star Lake. The roads around the lake provide access to several attractions and are suitable for recreational cycling. Take care on roads shared with motor vehicles.
On foot
[edit | edit source]Walking is practical in parts of central Zhaoqing, where attractions such as the Zhaoqing Ancient City Wall, Yuejiang Lou and Piyun House are located. Paifang Square and parts of Xinghu Scenic Area can also be explored on foot, although some attractions are separated by considerable distances.
See
[edit | edit source]
- 1 Zhaoqing Ancient City Wall (肇庆古城墙), 6 Zhengxi Road, Duanzhou District (Songcheng 1st Road, Duanzhou District), ☏ +86 758 2834074. 08:00-22:00. A largely preserved Song-era city wall surrounding the historic centre of Zhaoqing. The wall has four historic gates and includes Piyun Tower on its northwestern section. It is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level. Free.
- 2 Mei'an Temple (梅庵). A historic Buddhist temple on Mei'an Hill in Duanzhou District. Founded in the Northern Song period, it is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level and is now part of the Zhaoqing Museum.
- 3 Seven Star Crags Park (七星岩公园; Qīxīngyán GongYuan; Qixingyan Garden) (just north of downtown Zhaoqing). Seven rocky peaks (crags) sit here in the middle of a beautiful lake. The arrangement of the peaks resembles the Big Dipper constellation, so the crags are known as the Seven Star Crags, and the lake as Star Lake. The site is sometimes known as "little Guilin" due to its resemblance to the spectacular Guilin scenery. There are also some temples and pagodas in the park.
- 4 Qixingyan Musical Fountain (七星岩音乐喷泉), Paifang Square, Duanzhou District (At Paifang Square, on the south side of Seven Star Crags.). A musical fountain at Paifang Square beside Star Lake. The fountain combines water jets with music and lighting and is a feature of the square. Performance times vary and may be suspended temporarily; check the official Xinghu Scenic Area website for current schedules.
- 5 Piyun House (披云楼), People's Middle Road, Duanzhou District (on the north side of the ancient city wall, west of People's Road), ☏ +86 758 2834074. A historic three-storey tower on the northwestern section of the Zhaoqing Ancient City Wall. The present structure was rebuilt in 1986 and stands at the highest point of the city wall. The tower is part of the protected historic city-wall complex. free.
- 6 Yuejiang Lou (阅江楼), Zhengdong Road, Duanzhou District (On the north bank of the Xi River), ☏ +86 758 2202060. 09:00-17:00; closed Mon. A historic building on the north bank of the Xi River. It is associated with the Former Site of Ye Ting's Independent Regiment and is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level. free.
- 7 The leaning pagoda (Yuankui Pagoda, 元魁塔 Yuánkuí Tǎ), Ertai Road, Duanzhou District (Near the intersection of Ertai Road and Jiangbin East Road). A Ming-dynasty pagoda in Duanzhou District. Built in 1623, the seven-storey tower is about 27 m high and has a brick-and-wood structure. It was designated a Zhaoqing municipal cultural heritage site in 1984 and a Guangdong provincial cultural heritage site in 2019.
- 8 Baisha Longmu Temple (白沙龙母庙), Jiangbin West Road, Duanzhou District (On the western outskirts of Zhaoqing, beside the Xi River and east of Guiding Hill.), ☏ +86 758 2826262. 08:30-17:00. Baisha Longmu Temple is a historic temple dedicated to Longmu, the Dragon Mother, on the western outskirts of Zhaoqing beside the Xi River. The temple was originally built during the Southern Song period and was designated a Zhaoqing municipal cultural heritage site in 1984. Surviving historic structures include the Guangyin stone archway, Longmu Pavilion and the rear hall. ¥5.
- 9 Ling Hill Fort (羚山炮台), Ling Hill, Dinghu District (On Ling Hill, near the Ziyungu scenic area.). A historic fort on Ling Hill in eastern Zhaoqing. The site is listed among Zhaoqing's revolutionary heritage sites.
- 10 Baogong temple (包公祠), Jiangbin 4th Road, Duanzhou District (Inside Baogong Cultural Park), ☏ +86 758 2163336. 09:00-17:00; closed Mondays. Baogong Temple is a memorial temple dedicated to Bao Zheng, who served as the prefect of Duanzhou from 1040 to 1043. The present temple forms part of Baogong Cultural Park, which was developed on the site of the former temple and also includes a museum, Qingxin Garden, a cultural square and a riverside promenade. free.
- 11 Dinghu Mountain (Dinghushan, 鼎湖山), Shangshan Road, Kengkou Town, Dinghu District (From Zhaoqingdong Railway Station, take Bus Dinghu 6 to Dinghu Square and walk about 15 minutes.). Dinghu Mountain is a forested mountain and nature reserve in Dinghu District. It is part of the Xinghu Scenic and Historic Interest Area together with Seven Star Crags. The area includes Baoding Garden, Butterfly Valley, Feishui Waterfall and Qingyun Temple, and was established as China's first national nature reserve in 1956.
- 12 Zhaoqing Museum (肇庆市博物馆), No. 5 Shizilu, Duanzhou District, ☏ +86 758 6836331. 09:00-17:30; closed Mondays. A comprehensive local museum presenting the history and culture of Zhaoqing. The new museum opened in 2021 and houses exhibitions on local history and selected objects from its collection. Free.
- 13 Chongxi Pagoda (崇禧塔), Jiangbin 3rd Road, Duanzhou District (On the Xi River waterfront). A Ming-era brick and stone pagoda in Duanzhou District. Built between 1582 and 1585, the octagonal pagoda stands on the bank of the Xi River. free.
- 14 Qingyun Temple (庆云寺), Dinghu Mountain, Dinghu District (Inside Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area; after passing Bushan Pavilion, follow the stairs to the temple.). A Buddhist temple on Dinghu Mountain, with origins dating to the Ming dynasty. The present temple was established in 1636 and preserves traditional Chinese architectural features. It was designated a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area in 1983.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Boat ride at Seven Star Crags, Seven Star Crags Park, Duanzhou District. Take a boat trip around the lake and enjoy views of the karst peaks, caves and surrounding scenery.
- 2 Night tour of Seven Star Crags, Seven Star Crags, Duanzhou District. Enjoy the scenery of the scenic area after dark, including views of the lake and surrounding karst peaks.
- 3 Cycling around Star Lake, Star Lake, Duanzhou District. Follow the cycling route around the lake and enjoy the scenery along the waterfront.
- 4 Rainforest walk in Dinghu Mountain, Dinghu Mountain, Dinghu District. Explore the original valley rainforest along the mountain trails.
- 5 Zhaoqing Guangfu Culture Temple Fair (肇庆广府文化庙会), Qixingyan East Gate Square, Duanzhou District. Held during the Lantern Festival. A temple fair featuring intangible cultural heritage parades, lion and dragon dances, and Song-style markets. The parade runs from Qixingyan East Gate Square to Paifang Square.
- 6 Deng Huo Shi Duanzhou Light Festival (灯火是端州光影艺术嘉年华), Zhaoqing Fu City Ruins Park, Chengzhong Road, Duanzhou District. Usually held around the Mid-Autumn Festival. A light and shadow art festival at the Zhaoqing Fu City Ruins Park, with light shows, Song-style markets and parades.
- Gaoyao Kaigeng Festival (高要开耕节), Hetai Town, Gaoyao District. Held on the second day of the second lunar month. A traditional spring farming festival in Hetai Town, dating back to the Ming dynasty. Features dragon mother worship, lion dances, and folk performances.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- Street Market, Wenming rd, (文明路). A street market selling mostly clothing and footwear.
- Lakeside mall (湖滨商场). A shopping centre in Zhaoqing.
- Paifang Square Shopping Area (牌坊广场商圈), Paifang Square, Duanzhou District. A commercial area around Paifang Square with shops and restaurants.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- Zhong Hua Dim Sum (中华茶楼) (China Tea House), Zhaoqing, Duanzhou District, Tanggang Rd, 棠岗路星湖尚景苑2期东城汇2层 邮政编码: 526060. Classic cantonese dim sum restaurant not far from the lake. 60-70¥.
- 1 Yue (悦中餐厅), Sheraton Zhaoqing Dinghu, No. 1 Yongli Avenue, Dinghu District, Zhaoqing, ☏ +86 758 8228888. Daily 09:30-14:30 and 17:30-21:30. A Chinese restaurant inside Sheraton Zhaoqing Dinghu serving traditional Cantonese cuisine, Guangfu specialties and Chinese tea snacks. It also has six private dining rooms.
- Zhaoqing Restaurant (肇庆酒家), 10 Tianning Road, Duanzhou District, ☏ +86 758 2228888. Daily 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00. A local restaurant serving Cantonese and Zhaoqing dishes, including bamboo shoot and river fish specialties.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- OYC. A resort next to Seven Star Crags lake with hot springs. Rooms from ¥1,000.
- Zhang Shan Hotel (江山大酒店; Jiāngshān Dàjiǔdiàn), 40 Jianshe Road (建设路40号; Jiànshèlù). Doubles for ¥90 and triples for ¥120
- Star Lake Hotel (星湖大酒店), 1 Xinghu Road, Duanzhou District, ☏ +86 758 2228888. A hotel near Star Lake with views of the lake and Seven Star Crags. Doubles from ¥300.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- Zhao Nainai Tea Shop (肇奶奶奶茶店), 17 Qilou Street, Zhengdong Road, Duanzhou District, Zhaoqing. 10:00-22:00 (23:00 on weekends). A local tea shop serving milk tea and fruit tea. ¥15-25.
- Xinghu Tea House (星湖茶馆), 5 Xinghu Road, Duanzhou District. 09:00-22:00. A tea house near Star Lake serving local Guangdong teas.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- Deqing County, Guangdong
- Guangning County
- Sihui, Guangdong
- Kaiping, a good base for visiting the diaolou-towers