Zhaoqing Xinghu Scenic Area is located in Duanzhou District, Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area features lake and mountain scenery and spectacular karst caves, and consists of two major scenic areas: Seven Star Crags and Dinghu Mountain. In the Seven Star Crags Scenic Area, there are mountains in the lake, caves in the mountains, and rivers in the caves; the scenery lies within the city yet the city is not visible, making it as beautiful as a fairyland on earth. It is mainly composed of seven limestone peaks—Langfeng Rock, Yuping Rock, Shishi Rock, Tianzhu Rock, Apo Rock, Chanchu Rock, and Xianzhang Rock—which are scattered in the lake like the Big Dipper, hence the name. Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area is known for its dense forests, flying waterfalls and flowing springs, and towering ancient trees, and is a “green gem on the Tropic of Cancer.” The total area of Xinghu Scenic Area is about 20.61 square kilometers, of which the water area is 6.5 square kilometers. There are many ancient buildings in the scenic area, such as Shuiyue Palace in Seven Star Crags and Qingyun Temple in Dinghu Mountain, adding to its historical and cultural heritage.
History and Culture
The history and culture of Zhaoqing Xinghu go back to ancient times. As early as the Tang Dynasty, Seven Star Crags had already become a popular destination for men of letters and artists, and many scholars and literati left behind a large number of poems, songs, and cliff inscriptions there. These inscriptions are rich in content and diverse in calligraphic style, possessing extremely high artistic and historical value, and bearing witness to the cultural prosperity of the time.
During the Song Dynasty, Zhaoqing became Duanzhou, and the development of the Xinghu area was further promoted. Officials and literati of the time carried out some development and construction of Seven Star Crags and other scenic spots, making their landscapes more complete.
By the Ming Dynasty, Qingyun Temple on Dinghu Mountain began to be built. As one of the four famous monasteries in Lingnan, Qingyun Temple attracted many believers and tourists, and Buddhist culture spread widely here. After that, Qingyun Temple underwent repeated repairs and expansions, gradually taking shape as it is today.
In modern and contemporary times, Xinghu Scenic Area has continued to develop and improve, becoming an important tourism calling card for Zhaoqing City. It has attracted not only domestic tourists but also many foreign tourists, and its unique natural scenery and profound historical and cultural heritage have been spread more widely.
Main Attractions
Seven Star Crags
Seven Star Crags is one of the core attractions of Xinghu Scenic Area. Here, lakes, mountains, caves, and rocks are ingeniously integrated, earning it the reputation of “a fairyland on earth” and “the foremost wonder in Lingnan.” The seven peaks each have their own characteristics. Langfeng Rock is lush with trees, Yuping Rock has steep terrain, and Shishi Rock contains a thousand-year poetry corridor, with many cliff inscriptions dating back to the Tang Dynasty and later inside the cave. Tianzhu Rock is tall and upright, a great place to climb high and enjoy the view; from the summit, visitors can overlook the entire Xinghu area. Apo Rock, Chanchu Rock, and Xianzhang Rock also have their own unique scenery. In addition, Shuiyue Palace at Seven Star Crags is a large-scale Taoist building, enshrining many statues of deities and attracting a steady stream of worshippers.
Dinghu Mountain
Dinghu Mountain is known as the “green gem on the Tropic of Cancer” and is a national nature reserve. It has an extremely high forest coverage rate, fresh air, and is rich in negative oxygen ions. Qingyun Temple is located in a valley of Dinghu Mountain. Its buildings are simple and elegant, and ancient trees tower within the temple grounds, creating a quiet and secluded environment. Feishui Pool is a famous attraction in Dinghu Mountain. A waterfall pours down from a height, forming a spectacular curtain of water. The pool water is clear to the bottom and pleasantly cool. Baoding Garden displays various exquisite bronze cauldrons, among which the Nine-Dragon Treasure Cauldron is the largest cauldron in the world. It is beautifully shaped and exquisitely crafted, showcasing the charm of ancient Chinese bronze culture.
Xinghu Wetland
Xinghu Wetland is Guangdong Province’s first national wetland park. It has a sound ecological environment and is a habitat for many migratory birds. Visitors can observe various rare birds here and experience the harmonious beauty of nature. The lakes, rivers, marshes, and other ecosystems within the wetland are interdependent, forming a unique wetland landscape. In addition, the wetland has several bird-watching platforms and science education bases, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery while learning about the importance of wetland ecological protection.
Xinghu Greenway
The route connects Bohai Park, Banyue Lake Park, Xinghu Bay Park, Paifang Park, the Seven Star Crags Archway Square, East Gate Square, and North Gate Square. The entire lakeside greenway is divided into four ecological leisure loops, forming unique features for lakeside touring, sightseeing, and leisure. With a total length of 19.1 kilometers, it was awarded the title of “China’s Most Beautiful Greenway” by the China Institute of City Competitiveness.
Suggested Itinerary：
If you plan to visit Zhaoqing Xinghu Scenic Area, you can choose the following route: On the first morning, go first to the Seven Star Crags Scenic Area and enter through the East Gate. Visit Langfeng Rock and Yuping Rock in turn, enjoying the mountain scenery and cliff inscriptions. Then go to Shishi Rock to visit the Thousand-Year Poetry Corridor and experience the charm of history and culture. At noon, dine inside or near the scenic area and taste local specialties such as Zhaoqing guozheng zongzi. In the afternoon, continue to Tianzhu Rock, climb high and look far, and overlook the panoramic view of Xinghu. After that, go to Shuiyue Palace to learn about Taoist culture.
On the second day, go to Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area. After entering through the main gate, visit Qingyun Temple first and experience the tranquil atmosphere of the temple. Then go to Feishui Pool to enjoy the waterfall scenery, and you can also play by the pool. Next, go to Baoding Garden to see various bronze cauldrons and learn about ancient Chinese bronze culture. At noon, taste dishes such as Dinghu Shangsu vegetarian cuisine near Dinghu Mountain. In the afternoon, you can stroll within the scenic area and enjoy the fresh forest air. Finally, go to Xinghu Wetland to watch migratory birds and enjoy the wetland scenery, ending a pleasant journey.
Travel Tips：
It is recommended to learn about the scenic area’s ticket policies and opening hours in advance to avoid disrupting your itinerary. You can consult through the scenic area’s official website or by phone.
The Seven Star Crags and Dinghu Mountain scenic areas are quite large. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and light clothing to facilitate long walks and sightseeing.
If you want to watch migratory birds, it is recommended to visit Xinghu Wetland in winter each year (November to February of the following year), when there are more migratory birds and the viewing effect is best.
When visiting Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area, take care to protect the environment and do not damage plants or ecological facilities at will. At the same time, because there are many mosquitoes and insects in the forest, you may bring mosquito repellent.
When tasting Zhaoqing cuisine, choose regular restaurants and food stalls to ensure food hygiene and safety.
During holidays, there are many tourists in the scenic area. It is recommended to book tickets and accommodation in advance and travel during off-peak times to get a better travel experience.
Precautions：
Protect the environment of the scenic area. Do not litter or damage cultural relics, historic sites, or natural landscapes within the scenic area.
Within the Seven Star Crags and Dinghu Mountain scenic areas, do not climb undeveloped areas to avoid danger.
Some sections of Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area are relatively steep. Pay attention to safety when walking, especially on rainy days or slippery roads, and be careful not to slip.
When watching birds in Xinghu Wetland, do not make loud noises or use flash photography, so as not to disturb the birds.
When taking public buses or taxis, keep personal belongings safe to prevent loss or theft.
If you encounter an emergency in the scenic area, contact scenic area staff promptly or call the scenic area’s rescue telephone for help.
Transportation：
Bus: There are multiple bus routes in Zhaoqing city that can reach Xinghu Scenic Area. To go to Seven Star Crags Scenic Area, you can take buses such as No. 1, No. 19, and No. 28; to go to Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area, you can take buses such as No. 21, No. 24, and No. 205, and get off at the corresponding stops.
Self-driving: Visitors can choose to drive themselves, and there are multiple parking lots around the scenic area. From downtown Zhaoqing, the drive to Seven Star Crags Scenic Area is about 10–20 minutes, and to Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area about 20–30 minutes. However, during peak periods such as holidays, traffic congestion and tight parking may occur, so plan ahead.
Taxi: Taking a taxi from downtown Zhaoqing to Xinghu Scenic Area is relatively convenient. Depending on the distance, the fare is generally several tens of yuan. However, be sure to choose licensed taxis to avoid being overcharged.
Opening Hours：
The opening hours of Seven Star Crags Scenic Area are generally from 06:30 to 18:00 every day, and visitors can enter the scenic area for sightseeing during this period. The opening hours of Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area are usually from 06:00 to 18:30. The opening hours of Xinghu Wetland vary by area, generally opening during the daytime. It is recommended to check the scenic area’s official information in advance for specific opening hours. The scenic area may adjust opening hours according to special circumstances, such as holidays or severe weather. Visitors can pay attention to relevant notices before traveling.
Tickets：
Separate tickets are implemented for each attraction. Dinghu Mountain: 70 yuan per person. Seven Star Crags: 70 yuan per person.