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Zhaoqing City, a prefecture-level City, is located in the west-central region of Guangdong Province, at the middle and lower reaches of Xijiang River. Adjacent to the Pearl River Delta, the city borders Guangxi Province in the northwest and Foshan City in the southeast. It lies about 90 kilometers from Guangzhou City. The terrain of the city is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. Mountains and hills occupy about eighty percent of the city area, mainly in the north, northeast and central part of the city. A valley plain comprises most of the southeast portion of the city. A karst landscape in this area is also outstanding.

Zhaoqing Facts
Chinese Name: 肇庆 (zhào qìng)
Population: 3,930,000
Area: 15,056 square kilometers
Nationalities: Han
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Duanzhou, Dinghu); 2 county-level cities (Gaoyao, Sihui); 4 counties (Guangning, Huaiji, Fengkai, Deqing)

History of Zhaoqing
As one of the cradles of Lingnan aborigine culture, Zhaoqing is a national historical and cultural city with a history of over 2, 200 years. According to archeological discoveries, there was the trace of human activity as long as about 140, 000 years ago. Moreover, it is also proved to be the birthplace of Cantonese. In the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), this area belonged partly to the Nanhai Shire. In the Sui Dynasty (581-618), it was called Duanzhou and changed into its present name, Zhaoqing, in the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

What to see in Zhaoqing?
Zhaoqing has abundant tourist resources. In the city proper, there is a picturesque attraction - Seven Star Cave. The lake and mountain are harmonious with each other. The mountain looks into the lake as if a beauty is looking into a mirror and appreciating its breathtaking appearance. The mountain is like that of Yangshuo and the crystal water resembles that of Guilin. No wonder it gets the name "The greatest spectacle in the South of the Five Ridges". As the most famed one of the four well-known mountains in Guangdong, Dinghu Mountain is high with thick forests; age-old trees reach into sky; birds are singing happily in the fragrance of flowers. It is a national nature reserve and is identified by the UNESCO as an ecological research station of "human and biosphere".

Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area	Zhaoqing Ancient City Wall	Xinghu Lake Scenic Area

When to visit Zhaoqing?
Zhaoqing enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate with an annual average temperature of 22.1C (71.8F). The rainfall is concentrated in the period from April to September. In early winter, the weather is sloppy and it may be affected slightly by typhoons in summer and autumn. The northern mountain area experiences frost and snow in winter.

Zhaoqing is an all-year-round tourist destination without summer heat and winter chilliness.

How to get to Zhaoqing ?
Visitors can get to Foshan and Guangzhou within two hours from the Zhaoqing passenger transport terminus. There are also many buses running to Shenzhen and Zhuhai taking about 3.5 and 4.5 hours. In addition, a water route from the port of this city to Guangzhou, Foshan and Hong Kong provides more options for visitors. It will take four hours to reach Hong Kong from there by train or by ship.
Situated in the north of the city center, Zhaoqing Railway Station has several trains to the main cities around China. You can take buses NO.1 and NO.7 to the station. Moreover, there is a special train to Kowloon, namely, Train T364. It departures at 9:37 in the morning and arrives at 1: 38 in the afternoon.

Zhaoqing Tarvel Tips
The commercial area centered on Tianning Road (North) and 3rd Jianshe Road is the busiest section of the city, with many marketplaces, stores and cinemas. It is an excellent shopping destination. The local lion dance and the dragon dance are the most popular performances in various ceremonies and festivals.

Festivals: Dragon Boat Race (the fifth day of the fifth lunar month)
Special Local Products: Handicrafts: Duanxi Inkstone, Nine Dragons Treasure Tripod, jade articles
Foods: Zhaoqing Gorgon Fruit, oranges, Ba Ji (Morinda Root)

Useful Numbers:
Tourist Complaint: 0758-2262296
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184