These 5 places in Zhaoqing are favorites locals never get tired of!
If you’re looking for a place in Guangdong with mountains, water, history, and a slow pace where you can hear the wind, Zhaoqing definitely ranks in the top three. Just a 1-hour high-speed train ride from Guangzhou, this list of 5 must-see spots with no detours or disappointments is perfect for your trip👇
1️⃣ Seven Star Crags—mountains in the lake, caves in the mountains, like walking through a 3D landscape painting🛶
📍Address: No. 1 Qixing Road, Duanzhou District, Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province
[ ] Seven limestone peaks arranged like the Big Dipper scattered across the lake. The 1986 version of Journey to the West even filmed here. The best way to explore is by boat. As the oars break the water, the cliffside stone carvings above you come into view, bringing a thousand years of history to life. If you’re up for it, hike Tianzhu Rock and climb to the Star Pavilion for a panoramic view. The seven peaks look like emeralds set in the lake. The bald cypress forest’s red leaves in autumn and winter are stunning. There’s mist spray from 10:00–11:30 AM and 2:30–4:30 PM, adding a magical touch to photos.
🎫 Ticket: 70 yuan per person. Students in Guangdong with valid ID enter free. Recommended: “Happy 100 Xinghu Card” for 100 yuan, unlimited visits to Seven Star Crags, Dinghu Mountain, and Wetland Park.
⏰ Hours: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM)
🚗 Transport: Drive and navigate to “Seven Star Crags North Gate Parking Lot.” Take high-speed train to Zhaoqing East Station, then transfer to city rail to Zhaoqing Station.
2️⃣ Dinghu Mountain—the top of Guangdong’s four famous mountains, a hiking oxygen paradise🌿
📍Address: Shangshan Road, Dinghu District, Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province
China’s first nature reserve, a rare oasis on the Tropic of Cancer. Strongly recommend buying the sightseeing bus ticket (20 yuan per person) to go straight to Baoding Garden. At the summit, you can toss a wishing ball into the big cauldron (10 yuan for 10 balls). Take a boat to Butterfly Valley (35 yuan per person), where butterflies flutter around you in the subtropical rainforest. Qingyun Temple is one of Lingnan’s four famous temples, with red walls and ancient trees full of character. On the way down, don’t miss the Feishuitan section—a 40-meter waterfall sprays cool mist on your face, and you can take off your shoes to wade in the stream.
🎫 Ticket: 70 yuan per person. Full-time college and university students in Guangdong enter free.
⏰ Hours: 7:30 AM–6:00 PM
🚗 Transport: Take high-speed train to Zhaoqing East Station, transfer to city rail to Dinghu Mountain Station, then taxi.
3️⃣ Zhaoqing ancient city wall & Piyun Tower—Guangdong’s only intact Song dynasty city wall, stunning night views🏯
📍Address: No. 1 Denggao Road, Duanzhou District, Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province (inside the Song city wall)
The only complete Song dynasty city wall left in Guangdong. Piyun Tower was built in the Northern Song dynasty, standing at the highest point of the wall with red pillars and flying eaves full of ancient charm. Climb to the top floor for a citywide view: the Xijiang River looks like a silver ribbon, the old town’s streets are lively, and the distant view of Seven Star Crags is all in sight. The blue bricks of the wall are engraved with inscriptions from different eras. Touching the bricks feels like stepping back into the Song dynasty. Important! The lights turn on from 6:00–10:00 PM. Red lanterns and the ancient tower make every photo a classic.
🎫 Ticket: Free
⏰ Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed Mondays)
🚗 Transport: Bus lines 1, 2, 10, 18 to Piyun Tower stop; drive and navigate to “Piyun Tower.”
4️⃣ Sihui Qishi River—Guangdong’s “Jiuzhaigou,” waterfalls + glass bridge all in one💦
📍Address: 364 County Road, Hongxing Village, Weizheng Town, Sihui City, Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province
Hidden at the junction of Sihui, Guangning, and Qingyuan, the Silver Dragon Waterfall is 120 meters wide and 60 meters high, the largest natural waterfall in Guangdong. The trail runs along the river, mostly shaded by trees, so you won’t get sunburned. Along the way is the “Ten-Mile Strange Stone Gallery,” where stones are shaped by the river into countless unique forms. The forest coverage is 96%, and the negative ion concentration is 70,000–80,000 per cubic centimeter, making you feel like your lungs have been cleansed. Buy a combo ticket online (admission + glass rafting + glass plank bridge) for about 120 yuan; onsite tickets cost 180 yuan.
🎫 Ticket: 60 yuan onsite, 48 yuan online
⏰ Hours: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
🚗 Transport: Recommended to drive. Navigate to “Sihui Qishi River Scenic Area.”
5️⃣ Fengkai Longshan—explore limestone caves and see the “underwater dragon palace,” Guangdong locals’ secret garden🕳️
📍Address: He’erkou Town, Fengkai County, Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province
About a 2-hour drive from Zhaoqing city, but absolutely worth it. The area is famous for limestone caves. Shuanglong Cave and Baishiyan are perfectly lit, with stalactites in all shapes, including “Fairyland,” “Underwater Dragon Palace,” and “Eight Immortals Celebrating Longevity.” The caves are cool like natural air conditioning, instantly lowering the temperature in summer. Don’t miss the mountain water tofu pudding sold in the nearby village—5 yuan a bowl with ginger syrup, so tender it’s unbelievable.
🎫 Ticket: Original price 75 yuan, now about 35 yuan (50% off)
⏰ Hours: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
🚗 Transport: Recommended to drive. About 2.5–3 hours from Guangzhou.
📌 Practical tips:
· Students in Guangdong remember to bring your student ID for free entry to Seven Star Crags and Dinghu Mountain
· Get the “Happy 100 Xinghu Card” (WeChat official account “One-Click Tour Xinghu”) for 100 yuan, unlimited visits to Seven Star Crags, Dinghu Mountain, and Wetland Park
· Bring insect repellent for Dinghu Mountain
· The ancient city wall is most comfortable to visit at dusk—watch the sunset and wait for the lights to come on