Beautiful! The Scenery of Zhaoqing

For travel within Guangdong Province, Zhaoqing is definitely a top choice—affordable, scenic, and perfect for working people to relax and unwind. DAY 1️⃣: Focus on Seven Star Crags and Ancient City Charm After arriving in Zhaoqing in the morning, it’s recommended to check into your hotel first, drop off your luggage, and then start your itinerary. Once settled, head straight to the Seven Star Crags Scenic Area (ticket 70 RMB, open 8:00 AM–6:00 PM). Named for its seven limestone peaks arranged like the Big Dipper over the lake, it is renowned as the "Number One Wonder of Lingnan." - Enter through the North Gate and walk along the lakeside to enjoy the beautiful scenery of bald cypress trees and karst peaks. Every 20 minutes, water mist sprays over the lake, creating a fairyland atmosphere—perfect for photos. - Must-try activity: take a boat tour on Star Lake (boat tickets sold separately), cruising among the stone hills and caves. Especially recommended is exploring the Stone Chamber Cave—remember to bring a flashlight to admire the spectacular stalactites inside. - If you have the energy, climb Tianzhu Rock to overlook the entire scenic area from the summit. In the afternoon, visit Yanqian Village, a lakeside artistic village full of guesthouses and cafes. Rent an electric bike to ride along Rainbow Road, enjoying the breeze—relaxing and comfortable. At dusk, go to the Seven Star Crags Archway Square to watch the music fountain show (usually starts at 8:00 PM). The interplay of lights and water is stunning. Afterwards, walk to Songcheng Qilou Street, where the Republic of China-era arcade buildings are preserved. The street is brightly lit at night, perfect for snacks and buying local specialties. DAY 2️⃣: Explore Dinghu Mountain Natural Oxygen Bar and Return Trip For breakfast, be sure to try the local specialty Zhugao Fen—named because it is hung on bamboo poles to dry during preparation. It has a smooth texture and is usually eaten with beef brisket sauce or soy sauce, offering an authentic taste. Next, head to Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area (ticket 70 RMB, open 8:00 AM–6:00 PM). Upon entry, be sure to buy a sightseeing bus ticket (20 RMB per person) because the mountain roads are long and walking would be time-consuming and tiring. - First stop: Feishuitan Waterfall, cool and refreshing for hot days. You can also wade upstream along the creek—wear non-slip sandals. - Then visit Butterfly Valley (additional 35 RMB boat ticket required). The lake in the valley is crystal clear like a mirror, with colorful butterflies fluttering around. The suspension bridge and lake surface are excellent photo spots. - In the afternoon, visit Qingyun Temple, a thousand-year-old temple with thriving incense offerings. Try the temple’s vegetarian dish “Dinghu Shangsu,” made with shiitake mushrooms, bamboo fungus, and other ingredients—fragrant and refreshing. - Finally, go to Baoding Garden, where you can try tossing a wishing ball (about 30 RMB for 10 balls) for good luck. If time permits, also visit Ziyun Valley (ticket 60 RMB), known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Guangdong." The clear streams make it especially suitable for summer water play. ✅ Practical Tips Zhaoqing’s attractions are quite spread out. It takes about 40 minutes by high-speed train from Guangzhou South to Zhaoqing East (ticket 28 RMB). After exiting, you can transfer to the city rail to Zhaoqing Station. Most attractions do not require reservations and can be visited directly. For water bus and other activities, tickets must be purchased in advance through the “Charming Zhaoqing Tour” mini-program to avoid queues. Bring an umbrella during the rainy season, and take mosquito and sun protection measures in summer to avoid discomfort. You can buy the “Star Lake Happy 100 Card” in advance (100 RMB/year), which allows unlimited entry to Seven Star Crags and Dinghu Mountain, offering much better value than single tickets.