概述
Zhaoqing, known as “Lingnan’s Landscape Gallery” (岭南山水画廊), is built around two core scenic areas — Seven Star Crags (Qixing Yan) and Dinghu Mountain (Dinghu Shan). The city sits on the north bank of the Xi River and offers classic karst peaks rising from broad lakes. It is an ideal day trip or weekend escape from Guangzhou (1 hour by high-speed rail), popular with nature walkers, photographers, and families.
行 (Transport)
High-Speed Rail
| Route |
Duration |
Frequency |
| Guangzhou South → Zhaoqing East |
~1 hr |
Frequent (every 20-40 min) |
| Shenzhen North → Zhaoqing East |
~1.5 hr |
Frequent |
| Zhuhai → Zhaoqing East |
~2 hr |
Several daily |
| Foshan West → Zhaoqing East |
~40 min |
Frequent |
- Zhaoqing East Station (肇庆东站) is the main high-speed rail hub, about 20 km from the city center.
- Zhaoqing Station (肇庆站) serves regular trains and is closer to the city center (near Qixing Yan).
Airport Transfer
| Airport |
Distance |
Transport |
Time |
Cost |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) |
~90 km |
Direct airport coach to Zhaoqing |
~2 hr |
~70 CNY |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) |
~90 km |
Taxi / Didi |
~1.5 hr |
~300 CNY |
游 (Attractions)
| Attraction |
Ticket |
Suggested Time |
Notes |
| Qixing Yan (七星岩) — Seven Star Crags |
78 CNY |
Half day |
Seven karst peaks arranged like the Big Dipper on Star Lake. Boating, caves, bridges. Cycle or walk. Core attraction. |
| Dinghu Shan (鼎湖山) |
70 CNY |
Half day |
One of the “Four Famous Mountains of Lingnan.” Feishui Tan waterfall, Qingyun Temple, Butterfly Valley. Known for having China’s highest negative ion (air quality) levels. |
| Zhaoqing Ancient City Wall (肇庆古城墙) |
Free |
30 min |
Song Dynasty city wall, partially restored. Good photo spot. |
| Yuejiang Tower (阅江楼) |
Free |
30 min |
Ming Dynasty tower on the riverbank. Houses historical exhibits. |
| Qixing Yan Cave Boat Ride |
20-40 CNY extra |
30 min |
Optional boat tour into limestone caves within Qixing Yan. |
| Dinghu Shan Baoding (宝鼎园) |
Included in Dinghu ticket |
1 hr |
Giant bronze tripod exhibit and panoramic lake view. |
吃 (Food)
| Dish |
Recommended Restaurant |
Address / Area |
Price |
Notes |
| Zhaoqing Zongzi (肇庆裹蒸粽) |
Deqing Huangzhonghuang (德庆皇中皇) |
Deqing County |
~15-25 CNY |
Extra-large pyramid sticky rice dumpling with绿豆, pork, egg yolk. Must-try. |
| Wenli Carp (文㞧鲤) |
Wenli Carp Village restaurants |
Qixing Yan area |
~80-120 CNY |
Famous local carp from Wenli pond. Best steamed. |
| Zhaoqing Steamed Rice Rolls (肇庆蒸肠粉) |
Morning street stalls |
City center |
~6-10 CNY |
Thin, silky rice rolls with filling. |
| Mountain Tofu Pudding (山水豆腐花) |
Dinghu Shan vendors |
Dinghu Shan scenic area |
~5-8 CNY |
Sweet or savory. Made with mountain spring water. |
| Zhaoqing Salted Chicken (肇庆盐焗鸡) |
Local Cantonese restaurants |
Songcheng Road area |
~60-80 CNY |
Aromatic salt-baked chicken. |
| Zhaoqing Fish Balls (肇庆鱼丸) |
Night market stalls |
Pailou Square night market |
~15 CNY |
Bouncy fish balls in broth. |
| Star Lake Water Chestnut Cake (星湖马蹄糕) |
Qixing Yan snack shops |
Qixing Yan exit |
~10 CNY |
Sweet jelly-like cake made from water chestnuts. |
| Zhaoqing Roast Goose (肇庆烧鹅) |
Traditional roast shops |
Old town |
~50-70 CNY / portion |
Crispy skin, juicy meat — a Cantonese classic. |
住 (Hotel)
| Area |
Hotel Example |
Price Range |
Best For |
| Qixing Yan / Pailou Square (七星岩/牌坊广场) |
Qixing Yan Holiday Hotel |
300-500 CNY |
Sightseeing, lake views |
| Qixing Yan / Pailou Square (七星岩/牌坊广场) |
Vienna Hotel Zhaoqing |
200-400 CNY |
Budget-friendly, convenient |
| Dinghu Shan area (鼎湖山) |
Dinghu Shan Resort |
350-600 CNY |
Nature, hiking |
| City center (Songcheng Road) |
Zhaoqing International Hotel |
250-450 CNY |
Business / dining convenience |
| Near Zhaoqing East Station |
Express Inn chain hotels |
150-300 CNY |
Transit / late arrival |
| Qixing Yan lakeside |
Boutique B&Bs |
400-700 CNY |
Couples, photography |
- Zhaoqing Zongzi (裹蒸粽): Vacuum-packed at local food stores — makes a great edible souvenir.
- Duan Inkstone (端砚): Zhaoqing is the origin of China’s famous Duan inkstones, prized by calligraphers. Available at specialist shops near the old city wall.
- Star Lake dried fish: Local specialty snacks sold at souvenir shops near Qixing Yan.
- Dinghu Shan tea: Tea grown in the mountain area; sold at the scenic area exit.
贴士 (Tips)
- Best route: Visit Qixing Yan in the morning (cooler, better light) and Dinghu Shan in the afternoon. Or do them on separate days.
- Negative ions: Dinghu Shan is promoted as having China’s highest recorded concentration of negative air ions — popular for “forest bathing.”
- Zongzi note: Zhaoqing zongzi are much larger than the usual Cantonese version. One is a full meal.
- Bicycle rental: Qixing Yan has excellent bike paths. Rent a bike at the entrance for ~20 CNY/hour.
- Dinghu Shan transport: A shuttle bus runs from the entrance up to the main sights (20 CNY one-way). Saves considerable walking.
- Best season: Autumn and spring for pleasant temperatures. Summer is hot and humid; winter is mild.
- Day trip from Guangzhou: Perfectly feasible — depart by 8 AM from Guangzhou South, return by 7 PM.
- Wenli Carp: This fish is highly specific to the local waters. Order it at a restaurant near Qixing Yan for authenticity.
- Language: Cantonese and Mandarin. English menus are rare — use a translation app.
- Photography: Qixing Yan is best photographed in late afternoon golden hour from the lakeside path.
