Zhaoqing is tough but worth it, not highly recommended for March
Visiting Zhaoqing in March is really comfortable! 🌿 Neither too cold nor too hot, and the tourists are not overwhelming. Strongly recommended for Guangdong nearby travel enthusiasts! Here’s a painstakingly compiled guide, keep it safe and no need to thank me~
Location
Zhaoqing is in the central-western part of Guangdong, just over an hour’s drive from Guangzhou, with very convenient high-speed rail access to Zhaoqing East Station. It is embraced by the Xijiang River and boasts two major highlights: Seven Star Crags and Dinghu Mountain, making it a true representative of a “mountain and water city.”
🍜 Food Recommendations (Drool-worthy Edition)
Coming to Zhaoqing and not trying the food is a waste! The top must-try is Zhaoqing Wrapped Steamed Rice Dumplings, made by wrapping glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork belly in winter bamboo leaves, slow-cooked over a wood fire for hours. It’s savory, soft, and filling. For breakfast, try Deqing Bamboo Pole Rice Noodles, where the rice sheets are hung on bamboo poles to cool, with a fresh bamboo aroma mixed with rice fragrance, and mixed with beef brisket sauce—absolutely delicious. For main meals, recommend Xijiang River fresh fish, steamed to perfection, with the “one fish three ways” at Liminju Restaurant being famous. Also try Fengkai Apricot Blossom Chicken (best as white-cut), Sihui Tea Oil Chicken, and Dinghu Vegetarian Delicacies (top-notch vegetarian dishes). Don’t miss the snacks like Guangning Wontons (thin skin, tasty filling) and Duanzhou Beef Offal (most flavorful street stall).
🏨 Accommodation Guide
Strongly suggest staying in Duanzhou District, very close to Seven Star Crags, Song City Wall, and Yanqian Village. Checked some well-reviewed hotels on Trip.com:
Licheng Langyu Hotel (Zhaoqing Railway Station Seven Star Crags Scenic Area Branch): Rated 4.8, some rooms have views of Star Lake, new facilities, family rooms available.
Vienna International Hotel (Zhaoqing City Center Lake View Branch): Established chain, central location, lake view rooms with great vistas.
Zhaoqing Boyin Hotel (Star Lake Tourist Area Seven Star Crags Archway Branch): Rated 4.9, strong design sense, supreme lake view rooms, close to Archway Square music fountain.
If budget allows, go for Zhaoqing Star Lake Grand Hotel, a long-established luxury hotel with stunning lake view suites overlooking Star Lake. For homestays, Yanqian Village has many artistic lakeside guesthouses, known as the “Zhaoqing version of Gulangyu,” perfect for photos.
🚶♀️ Itinerary Planning (3 days 2 nights lazy version)
Day 1: Morning check-in and drop luggage → Lunch with Wrapped Steamed Rice Dumplings → Afternoon visit Seven Star Crags (karst landscape + lake and mountain scenery, must-see Longyan Cave and cliff carvings) → Evening stroll by the lake in Yanqian Village, find a café to watch the sunset → Night watch Archway Square music fountain.
Day 2: Breakfast Bamboo Pole Rice Noodles → Full day at Dinghu Mountain (the green gem on the Tropic of Cancer, must-see Feishuitan Waterfall and Qingyun Temple, oxygen-rich and refreshing) → Try Dinghu Vegetarian Delicacies after descending → Evening stroll at Song City Arcade Street, the night scene is full of Republic of China era charm.
Day 3: Breakfast Guangning Wontons → Morning visit Zhaoqing Museum or Bao Gong Cultural Park (free, learn about history) → Lunch with river fresh fish → Afternoon at Yanyang Lake Park to shoot the “Sky Mirror” → Buy some Wrapped Steamed Rice Dumplings as souvenirs, then happily head home.
📸 Photo Spots (Social Media Like Magnets)
Seven Star Crags: Karst peak forest reflected in the lake, like an ink painting. In March, the peach blossoms on Peach Blossom Island bloom even more beautifully. Zhuoying Pavilion and Bald Cypress Forest (with mist devices, very ethereal) are excellent photo spots.
Song City Arcade Street + Ancient City Wall: Neon lights come on at dusk, full retro Republic of China vibe, the night view of Piyun Building is dazzling, wearing Hanfu or qipao for photos is very atmospheric.
Yanyang Lake Park: The waterside platform looks like a sky mirror, reflecting blue sky and white clouds, perfect for simple and fresh style shots.
Yanqian Village: A row of artistic lakeside shops and guesthouses, somewhat reminiscent of Xiamen’s Gulangyu, lakeside seats are very chill for photos.
Dinghu Mountain Feishuitan: With waterfall background, wearing flowing dresses creates a lively forest vibe.
Gaoyao District No. 48 Lighthouse: A new popular spot, white lighthouse + colorful walkway + river view, full of Instagram vibes.
⚠️ Pitfall Avoidance Tips
March in Zhaoqing has more rain, remember to bring an umbrella! Weather is changeable, check the forecast before going out.
Seven Star Crags and Dinghu Mountain scenic areas are quite large, wear comfortable shoes or your feet will suffer.
For river fresh fish, apricot blossom chicken, and other specialties, it’s best to go to long-established local restaurants or farmhouse eateries, avoid tourist trap vendors at scenic area entrances.
Use ride-hailing apps with clear pricing for taxis; public buses between scenic spots are fairly convenient, but some attractions are scattered, so self-driving or chartering is more flexible.
When buying Wrapped Steamed Rice Dumplings and other souvenirs, choose reputable old shops; roadside stalls may have inconsistent quality.
😫 A Tough Experience
At Dinghu Mountain, I squatted on slippery rocks for half an hour trying to get the perfect angle of Feishuitan Waterfall, my legs went numb and I couldn’t stand up, and I got splashed all over… Behind every beautiful photo is a story of hardship!
💭 Personal Ramblings
This March trip coincided with the Guangfu Cultural Temple Fair (until March 3), with intangible cultural heritage parades from Seven Star Crags East Gate Square to Archway Square, featuring lion dances, Bao Gong patrols, and robot interactions—lively and fun. Zhaoqing’s pace is slow, the mountains and waters are healing, the food is genuine, and costs are low, really perfect for a weekend getaway. I booked a hotel and ticket combo on Trip.com, which was quite cost-effective.
Have you discovered any hidden gems or niche photo spots in Zhaoqing in March? Or any more authentic restaurant recommendations? Fellow experts, share your better suggestions in the comments! 👇😘