Zhaoqing Travel

Zhaoqing — a famous historical city in Lingnan, known as the “First Wonder of Lingnan.” Home to the karst wonderland of Seven Star Crags and Dinghu Mountain, the “Green Oasis on the Tropic of Cancer,” blending natural landscapes with profound cultural heritage.

2200+
Years of History
2
5A Scenic Areas
1000
Meters Highest Altitude (Dinghu Mountain)
4.11M+
Resident Population

Zhaoqing City Districts & Counties

Zhaoqing 3-Day 2-Night Landscape & Culture Tour

Admire Seven Star Crags, explore Dinghu Mountain ecology, and experience Duanzhou ancient charm

Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
Main Destinations
Seven Star Crags, Dinghu Mountain, Song Dynasty City Wall, Dragon Mother Ancestral Temple, Bamboo Sea Grand View
Best For
Nature lovers, culture explorers, families, photographers
Budget Per Person
¥1200–¥2500
01
Landscape Wonders
Seven Star Crags + Dinghu Mountain
Highlights

Visit Seven Star Crags in the morning and take a boat through the karst peaks. In the afternoon, hike Dinghu Mountain to enjoy the primeval forest and waterfall clusters.

Attractions
Seven Star Crags
Known as the “First Wonder of Lingnan,” composed of seven limestone peaks reflected in a tranquil lake, creating a poetic landscape often compared to Guilin.
Dinghu Mountain
China’s first nature reserve and the “Green Oasis on the Tropic of Cancer,” featuring a complete subtropical forest ecosystem with extremely high negative oxygen ion levels.
Practical Info
Accommodation
  • Hotels in Duanzhou District
  • Homestays near Seven Star Crags
  • Dinghu Mountain resort hotels
Food
  • Dinghu Mountain Stream Grass Carp
  • Zongzi Dumpling
  • Wenqing Carp
  • Dinghu Mountain Tofu Pudding
Tips
  • Boat tour is recommended for Seven Star Crags
  • Wear comfortable shoes for steep paths in Dinghu Mountain
  • Bring mosquito repellent
  • Watch your step near slippery waterfall areas
02
Cultural Experience
Song Dynasty City Wall + Duan Inkstone Culture
Highlights

Walk along the thousand-year-old Song Dynasty City Wall in the morning, then visit Duan Inkstone Cultural Village in the afternoon to learn about the craftsmanship of this national intangible cultural heritage.

Attractions
Song Dynasty City Wall
Built during the Northern Song Dynasty, it is one of the best-preserved Song Dynasty city walls in China, featuring the iconic Piyun Tower.
Duan Inkstone Cultural Village
A professional village dedicated to Duan Inkstone craftsmanship. As the top of China’s Four Great Inkstones, Duan Inkstone is renowned for producing fine ink without damaging brush hairs.
Practical Info
Transport
  • Walkable within Duanzhou District
  • ~3 km from City Wall to Inkstone Village
  • Shared bikes or local buses recommended
Tickets
  • Song Dynasty City Wall: Free (Piyun Tower ¥5)
  • Duan Inkstone Cultural Village: Free (workshop experience extra)
  • Duan Inkstone Museum: ¥20
Experiences
  • Make a simple Duan Inkstone yourself
  • Cycle along the ancient wall
  • Buy authentic inkstone souvenirs
  • Taste time-honored snacks near the wall
03
Folk Customs
Dragon Mother Ancestral Temple + Return
Highlights

Visit the Dragon Mother Ancestral Temple in Deqing County in the morning to experience Lingnan’s unique Dragon Mother culture and join a blessing ceremony. Enjoy local delicacies at noon before returning in the afternoon.

Attractions
Dragon Mother Ancestral Temple
Built during the Qin and Han dynasties, it is one of the most influential temples in Lingnan, attracting hundreds of thousands of worshippers during the Dragon Mother Birthday Festival every lunar May.
Practical Info
Return Tips
  • ~80 km from temple to Zhaoqing downtown (1.5 hours)
  • ~100 km to Zhaoqing East Station (1.8 hours)
  • Recommended departure before 2:00 PM
Food Map
  • Deqing Bamboo Pole Rice Noodles
  • Sihui Camellia Oil Chicken
  • Guangning Bamboo Shoot Banquet
  • Huaiji Sixty-Day Yellow Vegetable
Souvenirs
  • Duan Inkstone crafts
  • Zhaoqing Zongzi Dumpling
  • Deqing He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum)
  • Sihui Jade accessories

Must-Try Foods in Zhaoqing

Zhaoqing Zongzi Dumpling

A traditional Zhaoqing delicacy wrapped in bamboo leaves with glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork belly, steamed for hours. Aromatic and soft, it represents Lingnan zongzi culture.

Duan Inkstone Banquet

A creative banquet themed around Duan Inkstone culture, with dishes shaped like inkstones and brushes, perfectly blending food with local heritage.

Dinghu Mountain Stream Grass Carp

Grass carp raised in Dinghu Mountain streams, firm and fresh, usually steamed to preserve its natural flavor.

Deqing Bamboo Pole Rice Noodles

A Deqing traditional snack made by drying rice sheets on bamboo poles, giving them a unique fragrance, served with secret sauces.

Zhaoqing Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • March–May: Warm spring, ideal for outdoor activities
  • September–November: Cool and dry, avoiding summer rains
  • Lunar May: Experience the Dragon Mother Birthday Festival
Must-Do Experiences
  • Boat tour at Seven Star Crags
  • Oxygen therapy at Dinghu Mountain
  • Cycle along the Song Dynasty City Wall
  • Duan Inkstone making experience
  • Blessing ceremony at Dragon Mother Temple
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: Seven Star Crags ¥70 + Dinghu Mountain ¥70 + Dragon Mother Temple ¥50 ≈ ¥190
  • Accommodation: ¥350–900/night
  • Food: ¥200–450/day
  • Transport: ~¥200 (including county travel)
  • Total: ¥1200–2500
FAQ
  • Where to buy authentic Duan Inkstone? → Baishi Village, Duanzhou District
  • Can Seven Star Crags and Dinghu Mountain be visited in one day? → Possible but tight; split into two halves recommended
  • When is Dragon Mother Birthday? → Around the 8th day of the 5th lunar month
  • Transport within Zhaoqing? → City buses are convenient; self-driving or charter recommended for counties