Zhaoqing(China) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

For guests seeking proximity to Xiqing Rock Scenic Area, the Zhaoqing Star Lake Resort is highly recommended. Located just 5 minutes from the main entrance, this eco-friendly hotel blends Lingnan architectural style with modern comforts. Its rooms feature panoramic views of the karst peaks and offer private balconies perfect for sunrise photography. The resort provides free shuttle service to the scenic area and organizes guided hikes through ancient caves and stone inscriptions. Guests can also enjoy traditional Zhuangzhou-style tea ceremonies and evening lantern boat tours on the nearby lake, making it ideal for nature lovers and cultural explorers.

Duanzhou District is the prime choice for central accommodations in Zhaoqing. Nestled at the heart of the city, it offers easy access to major attractions such as Qingyun Temple, Seven Stars Rock, and Dinghushan Nature Reserve. Top-tier options include Sheraton Zhaoqing Hotel and Yuehai International Hotel, both featuring business amenities and excellent dining. The area’s vibrant streetscapes, night markets, and historic lanes like Song City Old Street provide rich cultural immersion. With public transit and taxi services readily available, Duanzhou ensures seamless exploration while maintaining a comfortable urban base.

Yes, Yunyin Mountain Retreat in Dinghu District stands out as a true Lingnan-style boutique guesthouse. Designed around traditional courtyard homes with blue bricks, carved wooden windows, and open courtyards, it captures the essence of southern Chinese rural life. Guests can participate in hands-on workshops like Zhuangzhou rice dumpling wrapping and Duan inkstone carving. The owners, local artisans, share stories of regional heritage during evening storytelling sessions. With no Wi-Fi and minimal lighting, the retreat fosters deep connection with nature—perfect for travelers seeking authenticity and tranquility.

Near Star Lake, visitors can join the Night Light Boat Tour, where illuminated boats glide across the calm waters, reflecting golden lights onto the surface. This experience is enhanced by live Lingnan folk music performances aboard the boats. Additionally, the Dinghushan Ancient Path Walk offers a historical journey through centuries-old stone steps leading to Qingyun Temple, with interpretive signs detailing Buddhist history and ecological significance. For a deeper dive, the Ancient Tea Ceremony Pavilion hosts daily demonstrations of Gongfu tea culture, allowing guests to savor locally grown tea while learning about its ritual importance in Guangdong traditions.

Couples should consider staying at Lakeview Serenity Cottage, a secluded lakeside villa nestled within Xinghu Park. Each room features a private glass-walled balcony overlooking the tranquil lake, ideal for watching sunsets or stargazing. The property offers private candlelit dinners, couple’s spa treatments, and a moonlight poetry reading under willow trees. Guests can also book a canoe ride at dawn, drifting silently through mist-covered waters. With no cell signals and handcrafted love notes left at the door each morning, this retreat delivers an intimate, dreamlike escape rooted in natural beauty and emotional connection.

First-time visitors to Zhaoqing should try Zhuangzhou Zongzi, a large, savory rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves and filled with pork, mung beans, and salted egg yolk—best enjoyed hot during festival seasons. Another highlight is Zhaoqing White-Skinned Chicken, known for its tender texture and fragrant ginger-scallion sauce. Don’t miss Youzha Gui (Deep-Fried Dough Stick) served with sweet soy milk for breakfast. At Song City Old Street, sample Chen Village Rice Noodles and Lotus Root Fish Soup, both showcasing the region’s emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients and subtle flavors. These dishes reflect the soul of Guangdong culinary tradition.

Yes, Qingyun Temple in Dinghushan National Nature Reserve offers a unique overnight experience through its affiliated Temple Stay Program. Guests can stay in simple monk-style dormitories or private meditation cabins, all built in harmony with the surrounding forest. Daily routines include morning chanting, Buddhist meditation, and tea preparation rituals. Visitors may also attend lectures on Chan Buddhism philosophy and participate in incense offerings at the main hall. The silence and purity of the mountain setting make it a profound space for introspection and renewal, ideal for spiritual seekers and mindful travelers.

Nature enthusiasts will appreciate Dinghushan Nature Reserve, home to over 2,000 plant species and rare wildlife like the Chinese Giant Salamander. Guided hiking trails wind through lush evergreen forests, leading to waterfalls, ancient temples, and observation platforms. The Star Lake Canoeing Experience allows paddlers to explore hidden coves and wetland habitats. Birdwatchers can spot Golden-fronted Leafbird and White-eared Sibia along the Xiqing River Trail. For adventure seekers, rock climbing routes are available near Seven Stars Rock, while nighttime frog surveys offer a unique glimpse into nocturnal biodiversity—all led by certified local ecotour guides.

Zhaoqing stands out as a cultural gem due to its deep-rooted Confucian and Buddhist heritage, exemplified by the Bao Gong Temple and Qingyun Temple. The city has preserved centuries-old Lingnan architecture, folk arts, and traditional crafts like Duan Inkstone carving. Annual events such as the Bao Gong Cultural Festival and Zhuangzhou Zongzi Festival attract locals and tourists alike. Interactive experiences—from ancient calligraphy workshops to historical reenactments—allow visitors to step into the past. With its blend of natural beauty and enduring traditions, Zhaoqing offers one of China’s most authentic cultural journeys outside major metropolises.

The Zhaoqing Shangri-La Resort is the premier luxury destination for a serene escape. Perched on the edge of Star Lake, it combines modern elegance with Lingnan garden design, featuring koi ponds, pavilions, and winding pathways. Guests enjoy spacious suites with private terraces, indoor-outdoor spas, and a signature pine-scented wellness program. The resort offers curated experiences including sunrise tai chi, traditional herbal bath therapy, and artisanal cooking classes using organic local produce. With zero-light zones and quiet hours enforced, it fosters complete relaxation. Ideal for those seeking a high-end yet deeply restorative retreat in a culturally rich environment.