Discover Zhaoqing

Zhaoqing can be explored through a variety of themes: the Seven Star Crags are home to a significant group of rock inscriptions, while places such as Yuejiang Tower and Meian offer insights into the region’s history. Other highlights include Duanyan, an inkstone made in Zhaoqing, and a sightseeing route around the lake. When planning your trip, you can consider whether to focus on cultural history, inscriptions, or a route through the Xinghu Scenic Area.

Rock Inscriptions at the Seven Star Crags

The Seven Star Crags are located in Duanzhou District, Zhaoqing, and are rated as a national 5A-level tourist attraction. One special feature is their group of 531 rock inscriptions. It is considered the largest and most intact group of its kind in Lingnan. The group is also a nationally significant cultural relic and is described as a thousand-year-old corridor of poetry. Visitors interested in Chinese poetry and inscriptions will find a clear thematic focus for their trip here. The number of inscriptions and their traditional classification give the site a cultural perspective distinct from the city’s history associated with buildings and memorial sites.

Yuejiang Tower and the Ye Ting Regiment

Yuejiang Tower houses the Zhaoqing Museum and the memorial site at the former headquarters of the Ye Ting Independent Regiment. The regiment was founded in front of Yuejiang Tower on November 21, 1925. Its headquarters were in the tower, and the square in front also served as a training ground. The building’s history thus encompasses several specific roles: founding site, headquarters, and training ground. The former headquarters has two permanent exhibitions: “The Iron Spirit of the Army – The History of the Ye Ting Independent Regiment” and an exhibition recreating scenes from its history. The two exhibition themes take different approaches—one focuses on the regiment’s history, the other on its scenic reconstruction.

Meian, Duanyan, and Bao Gong Cultural Park

Meian also adds a long architectural history to the cultural itinerary: it was founded in 996 and designated a nationally significant cultural relic in 1996. Elements dating from the Song dynasty have been preserved in its main hall. Their timber construction features characteristics considered unique in Guangdong. For travelers with a particular interest in historic architecture, this offers a distinct point of interest during a visit to the city. The information about its founding, designation, and architectural elements helps bring different aspects of Meian to life.

Another cultural connection to Zhaoqing is Duanyan. This inkstone is made in the city and is considered the most important of China’s four famous inkstones. Bao Gong Cultural Park combines anti-corruption education with history and culture, as well as sightseeing. Together, these themes highlight different sides of the cultural offerings: historic architecture, an arts-and-crafts material made in Zhaoqing, and a cultural project with an educational focus. You can then decide which of these themes interests you most for your trip.

A Route Around the Lake

The Xinghu Scenic Area has a sightseeing route around the lake, with electric carts and bicycles listed as options. This adds a specific route option to the historical and cultural themes. When choosing a holiday apartment, the location of the Seven Star Crags in Duanzhou District can serve as a point of reference as you consider which side of Zhaoqing interests you most. You can factor the other places and themes mentioned into your travel plans according to your interests; the historical information alone does not prescribe a particular order. This way, you can consider cultural history, inscriptions, and the route through the Xinghu Scenic Area as different reasons to get to know Zhaoqing better.

Other destinations in the same broader area: Jieyang, Meizhou, Dongguan, Shanwei, Foshan, Guangzhou, Jiangmen, Heyuan.

Back to the broader travel overview: Guangdong.