Stand at the end of Tianning Rd in the evening and the lake opens up in front of you, with seven limestone crags rising straight out of the water and a fountain throwing light into the dark. This is the Zhaoqing most visitors come for, and it is only the start of what the old city and its surrounding hills hold.
Zhaoqing suits travellers based in Guangzhou, Shenzhen or elsewhere in the Pearl River Delta who want a weekend of scenery, temples and city walls without a long journey. It also suits anyone interested in the early Jesuit mission in China, since the city is where Matteo Ricci drew his first modern Chinese map of the world in 1584.
This guide covers the sights in and around the city, from the crags and the ancient wall to the nature reserve in the hills, and closes with a plan for a single day.
Top things to do in Zhaoqing
1. Seven Star Crags Park
Seven rocky peaks stand in the middle of a lake just north of downtown Zhaoqing. The arrangement of the peaks resembles the Big Dipper constellation, which is why the crags carry that name and the water is known as Star Lake. The site is sometimes called "little Guilin" for its resemblance to the Guilin scenery, and there are temples and pagodas within the park as well.
Take a boat trip around the lake to see the karst peaks and caves from the water, or follow the cycling route around Star Lake for the views along the waterfront. The park is also worth returning to after dark for a night tour of the lake and peaks.
2. Water and Light display
A large fountain plays with songs accompanying it, set in Star Lake opposite the big plaza at the end of Tianning Rd. The show takes place every day at 20:00.
Time your evening so you are already at the plaza before it begins, and combine it with a night tour of Seven Star Crags, which sits on the same water.
3. Dinghu Mountain
A nature reserve about 20 kilometres northeast of the city, with walking paths running through temples, trees, waterfalls and pools. It is the first established nature reserve in China. The original valley rainforest can be explored along the mountain trails.
It can be packed on holidays, so plan around those dates if you want quiet on the paths. To get there, take local bus no. 15 from Tianning Rd, the bus heading south.
4. Piyun House
A three-storey building on the north side of the ancient city wall, west of People's Road, built as a lookout in the year 1118 AD during the Song Dynasty. Its position on the wall makes it a natural stop while walking the old fortifications.
Pair it with the rest of the wall and with Yuejianglou, both in Duanzhou District, for a half day on the city's older layers.
5. Yuejianglou
A Ming Dynasty-period mansion that served as the headquarters of the Fourth Revolutionary Army, commanded by Ye Ting, in the early 20th century. The Zhaoqing city museum is located in this building or one very close by, and its exhibits are described in Chinese.
Go if you read Chinese or are content to look at the objects and the building itself. The leaning pagoda, Yuankui Pagoda, is not as steep as Pisa but not straight either, and is worth seeking out in the same part of town.
6. Zhaoqing Museum
A comprehensive local museum at 5 Shizi Road, Duanzhou District, 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. Entry is free.
Use it as a wet-afternoon or first-morning stop to give context to the city wall, the temple sites and the crags before you go looking at them.
7. Sharon White Mother Temple
A White Dragon Temple on Jiangbin West Road in Duanzhou District, in the western suburbs at turtle mountain east, South West, founded in the fifteenth year of the Ming Wanli reign (1587). It is the only church, Dragon Pavilion and part, and the "eight Zhaoqing roof turtle song Yin" and "white moon" are not far from the temple. The Dragon Pavilion has a building area of 28 square metres with a blue glazed tile Xieshan Ding and a column inscribed with a couplet; the only remaining Dongxiang has an area of 56 square metres. The temple was classified as a heritage conservation unit in 1984.
Opening hours are 08:30-17:30 and admission is ¥5. The phone number is +86 7582826262.
8. Baogong temple
An imitation of buildings west of Zhaoqing, comprising the church, mountain door and hall, East and West Peidian, bell tower, Drum Tower, pavilion and corridor, covering an area of 11,500 square metres. Compared with other Baogong sites, its size is at the forefront, and it reflects the ridge South ancient architectural features and style.
Combine it with the western suburbs on the same outing as Sharon White Mother Temple.
9. Ling Hill Fort
A fort at the Xijiang Antelope Canyon entrance north of antelope hills, on the east city outskirts. It is one of seven forts built in Zhaoqing in 1920 by Luo Yang to defend against Lin Hu.
This is a stop for travellers already heading east out of the city rather than a destination on its own.
10. Xiaozhou Village
A village in Jinli Town, Gaoyao District, with local economic activity including small hardware manufacturing.
Go for a look at ordinary village life and small-scale workshop production in the Gaoyao direction.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Seven Star Crags Park, north of downtown, and take a boat trip around the lake to see the karst peaks and caves. If time allows, follow part of the cycling route around Star Lake before leaving.
Afternoon: Head to Dinghu Mountain, about 20 kilometres northeast, and walk the trails through the temples, trees, waterfalls and pools, including the valley rainforest. Take local bus no. 15 from Tianning Rd, the bus heading south. If you would rather stay in the city, spend the afternoon on the ancient city wall at Piyun House and then at Yuejianglou.
Evening: Return to the big plaza at the end of Tianning Rd for the Water and Light display at 20:00, then take a night tour of Seven Star Crags to see the lake and peaks after dark.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Water and Light display take place?
Every day at 20:00, in Star Lake, opposite the big plaza at the end of Tianning Rd.
How do I get to Dinghu Mountain without a car?
Take local bus no. 15 from Tianning Rd, the bus heading south.
Is the Zhaoqing Museum free to enter?
Yes. The museum is at 5 Shizi Road, Duanzhou District, and entry is free.
What are the opening hours and admission for Sharon White Mother Temple?
The temple on Jiangbin West Road is open 08:30-17:30 and admission is ¥5.
Decide which of these fits your weekend, check the bus and train connections from your city, and start planning your trip to Zhaoqing.