Xinghu Tourist Scenic Area in Zhaoqing City is located in Duanzhou District, Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area. The scenic area is characterized by its beautiful lake scenery, mountain views, and spectacular karst cave landscapes. It consists of two major scenic areas: Qixingyan (Seven Star Crags) and Dinghu Mountain. In the Qixingyan scenic area, there are mountains in the lake, caves in the mountains, and rivers in the caves. The scenery is in the city but the city is not visible, and it is as beautiful as a fairyland on earth. It is mainly composed of seven limestone peaks, namely 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. The Dinghu Mountain scenic area is famous for its dense forests, flowing waterfalls, and towering ancient trees. It is known as the "Emerald on the Tropic of Cancer". The total area of the Xinghu Tourist Scenic Area is approximately 20.61 square kilometers, of which the water area reaches 6.5 square kilometers. There are many ancient buildings in the scenic area, such as the Shuiyue Palace in Qixingyan and the Qingyun Temple in Dinghu Mountain, which add to the historical and cultural heritage of the scenic area.
History and Culture
The history and culture of Xinghu in Zhaoqing have a long history. As early as the Tang Dynasty, Qixingyan had already become a popular destination for literati and scholars. Many literati and refined scholars left a large number of poems, songs, and inscriptions on precipices here. These inscriptions are rich in content and diverse in calligraphy styles, possessing extremely high artistic and historical values, and bearing witness to the cultural prosperity of that time.
During the Song Dynasty, Zhaoqing became Duanzhou, and the development of the Xinghu area was further promoted. Officials and literati at that time carried out certain development and construction of scenic spots such as Qixingyan, making its landscape more perfect.
In the Ming Dynasty, the Qingyun Temple on Dinghu Mountain began to be built. As one of the four famous Buddhist temples in Lingnan, the Qingyun Temple attracted many believers and tourists, and Buddhist culture was widely spread here. Since then, the Qingyun Temple has gone through many renovations and expansions, gradually forming its current scale and layout.
Since modern times, the Xinghu Tourist Scenic Area has been continuously developing and improving, becoming an important tourist business card of Zhaoqing City. It has not only attracted domestic tourists but also many foreign tourists. Its unique natural scenery and profound historical and cultural heritage have been more widely spread.
Main Scenic Spots
Qixingyan (Seven Star Crags)
Qixingyan is one of the core scenic spots of the Xinghu Tourist Scenic Area. Here, the lake, mountains, caves, and rocks are ingeniously integrated, enjoying the reputation of "Fairyland on Earth" and "The First Wonder of Lingnan". The seven peaks each have their own characteristics. Langfeng Rock is lush with trees, Yuping Rock is strategically located and difficult to access, Shishi Rock has a Thousand-year Poetry Corridor, and there are many inscriptions on precipices since the Tang Dynasty in the cave. Tianzhu Rock is tall and straight, and it is a great place to climb up and enjoy the scenery. You can overlook the panoramic view of Xinghu from the top of the mountain. Apo Rock, Chanchu Rock, and Xianzhang Rock also have their own unique scenery. In addition, the Shuiyue Palace in Qixingyan is a large-scale Taoist building. There are many statues of gods enshrined in the palace, and the incense is very prosperous.
Dinghu Mountain
Dinghu Mountain is known as the "Emerald on the Tropic of Cancer" and is a national-level nature reserve. The forest coverage rate here is extremely high, the air is fresh, and it is rich in negative oxygen ions. The Qingyun Temple is located in the valley of Dinghu Mountain. The architecture is simple and elegant, and the ancient trees in the temple are towering, with a peaceful and secluded environment. Feishuitan (Flying Waterfall Pool) is a famous scenic spot in Dinghu Mountain. The waterfall pours down from a high place, forming a spectacular water curtain. The water in the pool is clear and bottomless, and it is cool and pleasant. Baoding Garden displays a variety of exquisite bronze tripods. Among them, the Jiulong Baoding (Nine Dragons Tripod) is the largest tripod in the world. It has an exquisite shape and superb craftsmanship, demonstrating the charm of ancient Chinese bronze culture.
Xinghu Wetland
Xinghu Wetland is the first national wetland park in Guangdong Province. The ecological environment here is good, and it is a habitat for many migratory birds. Tourists can observe various rare birds here and feel the harmonious beauty of nature. The lake, river, swamp and other ecosystems in the wetland are interdependent, forming a unique wetland landscape. In addition, there are multiple bird-watching platforms and popular science education bases in the wetland, allowing tourists to understand the importance of wetland ecological protection while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Delicacies
Zhaoqing Guo Zhengzong (Sticky Rice Dumpling)
Zhaoqing Guo Zhengzong is a traditional delicacy in Zhaoqing and a must-try special snack for tourists visiting the Xinghu Tourist Scenic Area. It is mainly made of glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, wrapped in winter leaves and steamed for a long time. The Guo Zhengzong is pillow-shaped, relatively large in size, with a rich aroma. The glutinous rice is soft and sticky, the mung beans are smooth and dense, and the pork is fatty but not greasy, with a rich taste and strong local characteristics.
Dinghu Shangsu (Vegetarian Dish in Dinghu Mountain)
Dinghu Shangsu is a famous dish of the Qingyun Temple on Dinghu Mountain. This dish is carefully prepared with a variety of fresh fungi, vegetables and other ingredients. The dish has a bright color, a delicious taste, rich nutrition, and the characteristics of being light and refreshing, which is suitable for tourists with various tastes. It not only reflects the characteristics of temple vegetarian food but also shows the rich food resources in Zhaoqing.
Surrounding Delicacies
Around the Xinghu Tourist Scenic Area, you can also taste many other delicacies. For example, the Zhugao Fen (Bamboo Pole Noodles) in Zhaoqing has a smooth and slippery taste. With a unique sauce and side dishes, it tastes very delicious. There is also Jiandui (Fried Glutinous Rice Balls), with a crispy outer skin and a sweet inner filling, which is one of the traditional snacks in the local area. In addition, there are various river delicacies, such as steamed river fish and blanched river shrimp. Due to the freshness of the ingredients, they taste particularly delicious.
Admission Tickets
The admission ticket prices of the Xinghu Tourist Scenic Area in Zhaoqing City vary. The admission ticket price of the Qixingyan scenic area is generally about 70 yuan, and the admission ticket price of the Dinghu Mountain scenic area is also about 70 yuan. Some areas of the Xinghu Wetland are open for free, and certain fees may be charged for some specific areas or activities. In addition, the scenic area sometimes offers package tickets that include scenic spots such as Qixingyan and Dinghu Mountain, and the price is relatively favorable. The specific ticket information shall be subject to the official announcement of the scenic area.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of the Qixingyan scenic area are generally from 06:30 to 18:00 every day, and tourists can enter the scenic area for sightseeing during this period. The opening hours of the Dinghu Mountain scenic area are usually from 06:00 to 18:30. The opening hours of the Xinghu Wetland vary according to different areas, and it is generally open during the daytime. It is recommended to check the official information of the scenic area in advance for the specific opening hours. The scenic area may adjust the opening hours according to special circumstances, such as holidays and bad weather. Tourists are advised to pay attention to relevant notifications before traveling.
Tour Routes
If you plan to visit the Xinghu Tourist Scenic Area in Zhaoqing City, you can choose the following route: In the morning of the first day, go to the Qixingyan scenic area first. Enter from the East Gate and visit Langfeng Rock and Yuping Rock in turn, enjoying the scenery on the mountains and the inscriptions on precipices. Then go to Shishi Rock and visit the Thousand-year Poetry Corridor to feel the charm of history and culture. Have lunch in the scenic area or around it, and taste special delicacies such as Zhaoqing Guo Zhengzong. In the afternoon, continue to visit Tianzhu Rock, climb up to overlook the panoramic view of Xinghu. After that, go to the Shuiyue Palace to learn about Taoist culture.
On the second day, go to the Dinghu Mountain scenic area. After entering from the main gate, visit the Qingyun Temple first to feel the peaceful atmosphere of the temple. Then go to Feishuitan to enjoy the beauty of the waterfall, and you can also play by the pool. Next, go to Baoding Garden to view various bronze tripods and learn about ancient Chinese bronze culture. Have lunch around Dinghu Mountain and taste delicacies such as Dinghu Shangsu. In the afternoon, you can take a stroll in the scenic area and feel the fresh air in the forest. Finally, go to the Xinghu Wetland to observe migratory birds and the wetland scenery, ending a pleasant journey.
Transportation
- Bus: There are multiple bus routes in Zhaoqing City that can reach the Xinghu Tourist Scenic Area. To go to the Qixingyan scenic area, you can take buses such as Route 1, Route 19, and Route 28; to go to the Dinghu Mountain scenic area, you can take buses such as Route 21, Route 24, and Route 205, and get off at the corresponding stops.
- Self-driving: Tourists can choose to drive by themselves. There are multiple parking lots around the scenic area. Starting from Zhaoqing urban area, it takes about 10-20 minutes to drive to the Qixingyan scenic area and about 20-30 minutes to drive to the Dinghu Mountain scenic area. However, during peak periods such as holidays, there may be traffic jams and a shortage of parking spaces, so it is necessary to make plans in advance.
- Taxi: Taking a taxi to the Xinghu Tourist Scenic Area in Zhaoqing urban area is relatively convenient. The cost is generally tens of yuan depending on the distance. But be sure to choose a regular taxi to avoid being overcharged.
Must-visit Scenic Spots
- Qixingyan: Integration of lake, mountains, caves and rocks, with seven peaks. The Thousand-year Poetry Corridor has a large number of inscriptions on precipices. The Shuiyue Palace is a Taoist building, and the admission ticket is about 70 yuan.
- Dinghu Mountain: Dense forest, high negative oxygen ions. The Qingyun Temple is simple and elegant. The Feishuitan waterfall is spectacular. Baoding Garden has the largest Jiulong Baoding in the world, and the admission ticket is about 70 yuan.
- Xinghu Wetland: The first national wetland park in Guangdong Province, a habitat for migratory birds. Some areas are free, and you can observe birds and the wetland landscape.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to learn about the admission ticket policy and opening hours of the scenic area in advance to avoid delaying the itinerary. You can consult through the official website of the scenic area or by phone.
- The Qixingyan and Dinghu Mountain scenic areas are relatively large. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and light clothing for easy walking and sightseeing for a long time.
- If you want to observe migratory birds, it is recommended to go to the Xinghu Wetland in winter (from November to February of the following year). There are more migratory birds at this time, and the viewing effect is the best.
- When visiting the Dinghu Mountain scenic area, pay attention to protecting the environment and do not randomly damage plants and ecological facilities. At the same time, since there are many mosquitoes in the forest, you can bring mosquito repellent products.
- When tasting the delicacies in Zhaoqing, choose regular restaurants and snack stalls to ensure food hygiene and safety.
- There are many tourists in the scenic area during holidays. It is recommended to book admission tickets and accommodation in advance and travel at off-peak times to get a better travel experience.
Precautions
- Take good care of the environment of the scenic area. Do not litter anywhere, and do not damage the cultural relics, historical sites, and natural landscapes in the scenic area.
- In the Qixingyan and Dinghu Mountain scenic areas, do not climb in undeveloped areas to avoid danger.
- Some sections in the 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 observing birds in the Xinghu Wetland, do not make loud noises or use flashlights to avoid disturbing the birds.
- When taking a bus or a taxi, pay attention to keeping your personal belongings safe to prevent loss or theft.
- If you encounter an emergency in the scenic area, you can contact the staff of the scenic area in time or call the rescue hotline of the scenic area for help.