Zhaoqing Seven Star Crags 3-Day Travel Guide
✨ Highlights
· In-depth trip on a budget of 1,000 yuan: carefully planned without compromise, keeping expenses within 1,000 yuan over three days
· Perfect combination of karst and lakes: experience the diverse landscapes of Seven Star Crags including "mountains, lakes, city, and river"
· Dual experience of day and night scenery: admire the unique peaks and strange rocks by day, and enjoy the Star Lake light show by night for a completely different vibe
· Local specialty food check-in: taste Zhaoqing’s unique wrapped steamed rice dumplings and tea oil chicken
📝 Basic Information
Best season: Spring and autumn are most suitable. In summer, pay attention to sun protection and bring mosquito repellent.
Scenic area ticket prices:
· Seven Star Crags Scenic Area ticket: 70 yuan per adult
· Free admission: children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters tall, seniors over 70 years old, etc.
Opening hours: 08:00-22:00 (nighttime free access from 19:00-22:00)
🗓️ Three-day itinerary
Here is the overall arrangement for the three-day trip to give you a clear understanding of the journey:
```mermaid
gantt
title Zhaoqing Seven Star Crags 3-Day Tour Itinerary
dateFormat HH:mm
axisFormat %H:%M
section Day 1
Arrive in Zhaoqing :d1_1, 09:00, 3h
Lunch tasting :d1_2, after d1_1, 1h
Seven Star Crags core scenic area tour :d1_3, after d1_2, 4h
Night view at Paifang Square :d1_4, after d1_3, 2h
section Day 2
Explore Longyan Cave :d2_1, 09:00, 2h
Star Lake Wetland Park :d2_2, after d2_1, 3h
Leisure at Yanqian Village :d2_3, after d2_2, 3h
Cycling around Star Lake Greenway :d2_4, after d2_3, 2h
section Day 3
Dinghu Mountain tour :d3_1, 09:00, 4h
Lunch tasting :d3_2, after d3_1, 1h
Song City Wall and Museum :d3_3, after d3_2, 3h
Prepare for return trip :d3_4, after d3_3, 1h
```
💰 Budget allocation table
Expense category Day 1 (yuan) Day 2 (yuan) Day 3 (yuan) Subtotal (yuan)
Accommodation 90 90 90 270
Meals 60 70 60 190
Transportation 30 20 40 90
Tickets 70 0 70 140
Experience activities 30 30 20 80
Miscellaneous 20 20 20 60
Daily subtotal 300 230 300 830
Reserve fund 170
Total 1000
🚶♂️ Day 1: Seven Star Crags Core Scenic Area & Paifang Square Night View
Morning: Take the high-speed train from Guangzhou South Station to Zhaoqing East Station (about 1 hour, ticket price about 50 yuan per person). After arrival, check into an economy hotel or guesthouse in Duanzhou District.
Noon: Taste Zhaoqing wrapped steamed rice dumplings (10-15 yuan each) and Wenlong carp at a local restaurant near Seven Star Crags Scenic Area, about 30-40 yuan per person.
Afternoon: Enter the scenic area from the East or South Gate of Seven Star Crags and start touring the core area. Recommended route: Shishi Rock → Tianzhu Rock → Fairy Lake. Shishi Rock features ancient cliff inscriptions known as the "Millennium Poetry Gallery"; Tianzhu Rock is the highest peak of Seven Star Crags, offering panoramic views of Star Lake.
Evening: Head to Paifang Square to enjoy the music fountain show (free, 19:30-20:00). Dinner can be had at the Star Lake International Plaza commercial area, trying tea oil chicken or Xijiang river fresh seafood, about 40-50 yuan per person.
🚣 Day 2: Explore Longyan Cave & Star Lake Wetland & Leisure at Yanqian Village
Morning: Visit Longyan Cave inside Seven Star Crags Scenic Area. This karst-formed cave has both water and dry sections; the water cave can be toured by boat. The stalactites inside are varied and combined with lighting effects, creating a dreamy atmosphere. Boat ride costs about 20-30 yuan per person.
Noon: Have a simple meal inside or near the scenic area, recommended dishes include mountain water tofu pudding and Dinghu vegetarian dishes, about 30 yuan per person.
Afternoon: Tour Star Lake National Wetland Park to observe various water birds and wetland plants. Then head to Yanqian Leisure Peninsula, a cultural hub with many unique shops and cafes.
Evening: Enjoy a drink at a lakeside bar in Yanqian Village, admiring the Star Lake night view and lights. Alternatively, rent a bike (about 20 yuan/hour) to cycle around the Star Lake Greenway.
🌿 Day 3: Dinghu Mountain & Song City Wall Cultural Tour
Morning: Visit Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area (ticket 70 yuan per person). Recommended route: Feishuitan Waterfall → Qingyun Temple. Feishuitan Waterfall is majestic and a natural oxygen bar; Qingyun Temple is one of the four famous temples in Lingnan. Shuttle buses inside the scenic area (20 yuan round trip) are available to save energy.
Noon: Have farmhouse dishes at a restaurant at the foot of Dinghu Mountain, recommended dishes include free-range chicken and fresh bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat, about 40 yuan per person.
Afternoon: Return to the city to visit Zhaoqing Song City Wall (free) and Zhaoqing Museum (free). The Song City Wall is a millennium-old ancient city site, well preserved.
Evening: End the trip and return from Zhaoqing East Station.
💡 Money-saving tips and practical information
1. Transportation savings: City buses in Zhaoqing cost 2 yuan per trip, the most cost-effective way to travel. Walking is also an option when distances between attractions are short.
2. Ticket discounts: If you visit Zhaoqing for the second time within a year, consider buying the "Happy 100 Star Lake Card" (100 yuan per card), which allows unlimited visits to Seven Star Crags, Dinghu Mountain, and Star Lake Wetland Park within one year.
3. Accommodation choices: Economy hotels in Duanzhou District are more affordable, or choose guesthouses in Yanqian Village, some of which are reasonably priced and well located.
4. Dining suggestions: Try to eat at local restaurants outside the scenic areas for better prices. Wrapped steamed rice dumplings are a Zhaoqing specialty, suitable as a meal or souvenir.
5. Itinerary adjustments: In case of rain, add indoor attractions like Zhaoqing Museum; if energy is low, reduce hiking and increase leisure time by the lake.
🎒 Preparation before the trip
· Documents: ID card, student ID (if eligible for discounts)
· Clothing: lightweight breathable summer clothes, comfortable sports shoes, light jacket for temperature changes in morning and evening
· Protection: high SPF sunscreen, sun hat, umbrella, mosquito repellent spray
· Others: light backpack, water bottle, power bank, common medicines
This guide allows you to fully experience the natural beauty and cultural charm of Zhaoqing Seven Star Crags within a 1,000 yuan budget. Adjust the itinerary pace according to your interests and physical condition. Wish you a pleasant trip in Zhaoqing!