Zhaoqing

Zhaoqing is a city where Lingnan landscapes meet old-town character. Qixingyan, Dinghu Mountain, and the Song Dynasty city wall each have their own appeal, making the city well suited to a relaxed weekend or short holiday.

• Qixingyan: Seven limestone peaks rise from the lake. You can take a boat to admire the peaks and forests, or cycle along the lakeside, stopping to see cliff inscriptions and bald cypress groves.

• Dinghu Mountain: Located near the Tropic of Cancer, it has dense forests. Visit Feishuitan, Qingyun Temple, and Butterfly Valley for a half-day mountain and forest outing.

• Song City Wall and Piyun Tower: The Song Dynasty city wall is relatively well preserved. At dusk, climb Piyun Tower for a view over the old town; at night, the scenery has a distinctly historic atmosphere.

• Yanqian Village: Set beside Xinghu Lake, it has a lakeside greenway suited to walks, with cafés and relaxed bars along the route. It is a good place to wait for sunset by the water.

• Xinghu Wetland Park: Take a boat through the reed beds, watch red-crowned cranes take flight, and enjoy the “Sleeping Buddha Holding the Red Sun” sunset view.

• Arcade Street: This area is lined with century-old arcades and retains a strong local street atmosphere, making it ideal for an evening stroll and meal.

A Relaxed 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival and a Lakes-and-Mountains Wander
  • Afternoon: After arriving in Zhaoqing, head to Qixingyan Scenic Area. Entering through the north gate is recommended. Take a sightseeing boat through the karst peaks and forests, or follow the highlights route to see the cliff inscriptions at Tianzhu Rock and Shishi Rock.

• Dusk: Head to Yanqian Village and walk along the lakeside greenway, enjoying the Xinghu sunset from a lakeside café.

• Evening: Return to Paifang Square to watch the musical fountain; check its operating hours in advance. Then dine around Arcade Street and the Song city wall while taking in the old town at night.

• Day 2: Breathe Deeply at Dinghu Mountain
  • Morning: Set out for Dinghu Mountain early. You can buy a sightseeing bus ticket directly to Baoding Garden, then walk to Butterfly Valley to see the water.

• Noon: Enjoy farmhouse dishes at the foot of the mountain or inside the scenic area, such as Dinghu Mountain spring-water tofu pudding and wrapped steamed rice dumplings.
  • Afternoon: First visit Qingyun Temple to experience the setting of a historic Lingnan temple, then continue to Feishuitan to see the mountain spring waterfall; Sun Yat-sen once swam here.

• Evening: Return to the city and sample fresh catches from the Xijiang River.

• Day 3: A Cultural Tour of the Thousand-Year-Old Song City
  • Morning: Start at the Song city wall and climb Piyun Tower for a view over the old town. Then visit the Zhaoqing Museum to learn about Duan inkstone culture and Guangfu history. Bring your ID to enter; the museum may be closed on Mondays.

• Noon: Try zhugao rice noodles or Langhe wontons around Arcade Street.

• Afternoon: If you have time, visit Yuejiang Tower, the former site of Ye Ting’s Independent Regiment. You can also walk along the river before buying souvenirs and heading home.

Zhaoqing Foods You Should Try

• Zhaoqing wrapped steamed rice dumplings: Glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork belly are wrapped in winter leaves and steamed over a wood fire for several hours. The dumplings are large, soft, sticky, and rich, with both savory and sweet flavors.

• Deqing zhugao rice noodles: These thin, springy rice noodles are hung on bamboo poles to dry and can be served with soy sauce.

• Dinghu Mountain spring-water tofu pudding: Made with mountain spring water, it has a clean, lightly sweet flavor and a smooth texture, making it refreshing after a hike.

• Langhe wontons: A Gaoyao specialty with thin wrappers and crisp, refreshing filling, topped with toasted white sesame seeds.

• Fresh Xijiang River dishes: Steamed river fish, yellow sand clams, and similar dishes highlight the natural freshness of the ingredients, with tender meat.

• Dinghu vegetarian specialties: Originating at Qingyun Temple, this dish is braised with mushrooms, dried tofu sticks, wood ear mushrooms, and other ingredients for a light, savory flavor.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to stay: Consider Duanzhou District first, especially around Paifang Square, Qixingyan, and Yanqian Village, where dining and transport are convenient. For a quiet lake view, choose a guesthouse in Yanqian Village; for better value, stay at a hotel near Paifang Square.

• High-speed rail: When booking, consider Zhaoqing Station first, as it is more convenient for the city center and scenic areas. Zhaoqing East Station is farther from downtown, and a taxi takes about 40 minutes, so allow time for the transfer.
• Driving: Zhaoqing is about 1.5 hours by car from Guangzhou or Foshan. The north-gate parking lot at Qixingyan and the official parking lot at Dinghu Mountain usually have plenty of spaces. Make sure you use an authorized parking lot.

Practical Tips

• Ticket discounts: If you plan to visit Qixingyan and Dinghu Mountain, check the “Xinghu Meimei Plus” WeChat account for information on annual passes and combination tickets such as the “Xinghu Card,” then compare the options.
• Sightseeing buses and boats: Dinghu Mountain and Qixingyan cover large areas, so combine sightseeing buses or boats with your itinerary to reduce long walks.
• Mosquito and sun protection: Mosquitoes are common in the mountains and by the lake, so bring insect repellent. UV levels can be strong on sunny days, so use sun protection.
• Closing days: Xinghu Scenic Area includes Qixingyan and Dinghu Mountain, and in recent years it has sometimes closed on Mondays, except during public holidays. Check official notices before setting out.
• Souvenirs: When buying specialties such as wrapped steamed rice dumplings, choose large supermarkets or established old brands in the city when possible, as prices near scenic-area entrances may be higher.