Ultimate Zhaoqing Travel Guide | A Must-Visit Guide to Lingnan-Style Towns

Zhaoqing is a city with stunning scenery and rich cultural heritage. Here's a comprehensive travel guide: Recommended Attractions • Seven Star Crags: Known as the "First Wonder of Lingnan," enter from the North Gate and exit via the South Gate to admire the bald cypress forest and enjoy boat rides. The area features numerous cliff carvings with strong cultural ambiance. Ticket price is around ¥70. • Dinghu Mountain: China's first national nature reserve, hailed as the "Oasis on the Tropic of Cancer." Take a sightseeing bus to Baoding Garden, where you'll find Butterfly Valley with its crystal-clear lake. The area also houses Qingyun Temple, one of Lingnan's four great Buddhist monasteries, and the Feishuitan Waterfall. Tickets cost approximately ¥70. • Seven Star Crags Memorial Arch Square: A landmark of Zhaoqing featuring colorful musical fountains with dreamy water-light combinations during performances. Multiple shows are held nightly, and admission is free. • Songcheng Arcade Street: The main street showcases two-story Republican-era arcade buildings, offering a glimpse of Lingnan's distinctive architectural style and historical culture. Free to visit. • Deqing Confucian Temple: The oldest existing Confucian temple in Lingnan, featuring unique architecture where visitors can appreciate ancient building artistry and Confucian culture. Tickets typically cost around ¥20. • Yuecheng Longmu Ancestral Temple: One of Lingnan's three architectural treasures, believed to be the hometown of the Dragon Mother. The temple boasts exquisite architecture and vibrant incense offerings. Tickets are about ¥50. Food Recommendations • Zongzi (Sticky Rice Dumplings): A Zhaoqing specialty made with glutinous rice, pork belly, and mung beans. These large, fragrant dumplings can be purchased at street stalls or supermarkets. • Bamboo Pole Noodles: Smooth-textured noodles served with soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions, and other condiments for a delicious taste. Try them at snack shops in Guangning and other areas. • Wenqing Carp: Known for its tender meat, best enjoyed steamed. Available at local restaurants like Happy Forest Eatery. • Mountain Water Tofu Pudding: Made with mountain spring water near Dinghu Mountain, this delicacy offers a smooth, sweet flavor. Many vendors sell it in the area. Accommodation Recommendations • Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Zhaoqing Seven Star Crags: Located on Xinghu Avenue, featuring outdoor hot spring pools with views of Star Lake and convenient transportation access. • Bauhinia·Mid-Mountain Moonview Designer Boutique Hotel (Dinghu Mountain Branch): Adjacent to Dinghu Mountain, offering Chinese and Western dining, a swimming pool, and beautiful surroundings ideal for vacations. • INNO Rockstay Homestay (Seven Star Crags Branch): Built against the Seven Star Crags, this light luxury wooden minimalist-style accommodation provides a tranquil atmosphere. Transportation Guide • External Transport: Fly to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, then transfer to Zhaoqing by bus or high-speed rail. Alternatively, take a direct high-speed train to Zhaoqing East Station or a regular train to Zhaoqing Station. • Local Transport: City buses cover major attractions, or opt for taxis or shared bikes. For distant sites like Deqing or Guangning, take long-distance buses from the coach station. Itinerary Suggestions • Two-Day Trip ◦ Day 1: Visit Dinghu Mountain in the morning, explore Mei'an Temple and Bao Gong Cultural Park in the afternoon, and enjoy the musical fountain at Seven Star Crags Memorial Arch Square in the evening. ◦ Day 2: Tour Zhaoqing Museum in the morning, stroll through Songcheng Arcade Street, and visit Seven Star Crags before departing in the afternoon. • Three-Day Trip ◦ Day 1: Head to Fengkai County to visit Guangxin Cultural Park in the morning, enjoy Hejiang Greenway Gallery in the afternoon, and stay overnight in Deqing County. ◦ Day 2: Explore Deqing Confucian Temple and Sanyuan Pagoda in the morning, visit Yuecheng Longmu Ancestral Temple in the afternoon, and spend the evening in Gaoyao District. ◦ Day 3: Visit Cat Paw Valley in the morning and explore the ancient Bagua Village of Licha in the afternoon before returning.