Create meetup in Zhaoqingchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Zhaoqing Guides
Best Food in Zhaoqing (2026)
Zhaoqing is famous for its delicate river snails and steamed river fish, often served with a light ginger and scallion sauce. Another signature is the Zhaoqing steamed ricβ¦ π Must-Try Local Dishes
Zhaoqing is famous for its delicate river snails and steamed river fish, often served with a light ginger and scallion sauce. Another signature is the Zhaoqing steamed rice rolls, which are silkier than the Cantonese version and filled with shrimp or minced pork. Don't leave without trying the claypot rice from street vendors, where the crispy rice at the bottom is the best part.
πͺ Top Street Food Stalls
Head to the night market on Songcheng Road (near the ancient city wall) for the best street eats. Look for the stall called 'Old Chen's River Snails' at No. 12 Songcheng Road, open from 6 PM to midnight, where a bowl costs around 15 RMB. Another favorite is 'Auntie Li's Rice Rolls' on Renmin South Road, serving fresh rolls from 7 AM to 11 AM for 8 RMB per serving.
π½οΈ Best Sit-Down Restaurants
For a proper meal, visit 'Xinghu Restaurant' at 88 Xinghu West Road, which specializes in local river fish dishes; a full meal for two costs about 120 RMB. 'Zhaoqing Flavor House' on Duanzhou Road offers an upscale take on traditional recipes, with dishes like braised pork belly with preserved vegetables, averaging 80 RMB per person. Both are popular with locals and open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM.
π΅ Tea and Dim Sum Spots
Zhaoqing has a strong tea culture, and 'Lingnan Tea House' at 45 Qixing Road is a great place for morning dim sum and oolong tea. They serve classic har gow and siu mai from 7 AM to 2 PM, with prices starting at 6 RMB per basket. For a more modern vibe, 'Tea & Co.' near the Star Lake boardwalk offers bubble tea and light snacks, open until 10 PM.
π° Price Guide and Budget Tips
Street food meals range from 10 to 25 RMB, while a sit-down dinner at a mid-range restaurant costs 50 to 100 RMB per person. For the best value, visit the food court at the 'Zhaoqing Department Store' on Duanzhou Road, where you can sample multiple dishes for under 40 RMB. Avoid tourist-heavy spots near Qixingyan Scenic Area, where prices are often double.
π Getting to Food Hotspots
Most food areas are accessible by bus; take line 1 or 12 to the 'Songcheng Road' stop for the night market. Taxis are cheap, with most rides within the city center costing under 20 RMB. If you're staying near Star Lake, it's a pleasant 15-minute walk to the Duanzhou Road restaurant strip.
π Evening Food Scene
The night market on Songcheng Road comes alive after 7 PM, with dozens of stalls selling grilled skewers, fried tofu, and sweet soups. For a quieter evening, head to 'Star Lake Beer Garden' at the lake's east shore, where you can enjoy local craft beer and grilled fish from 6 PM to midnight. Reservations are recommended on weekends.
oh man the claypot rice from street vendors is where it's at, but the real move is getting it from the guy with the cart near the east gate of the ancient city wall around 8pm. he does a version with salted fish and minced pork that's way better than the standard one, and that crispy bottom layer gets even better if you let it sit for a minute before digging in. also if you're at the night market don't sleep on the grilled oysters from the stall two down from old chen's, they're like 20 rmb for six and they hit different with the garlic and chili they use up there
solid guide, you nailed the old chen's spot. one thing missing though is the morning scene around duanzhou road near the zhongshan park entrance, there's a guy who sets up a cart with a big wooden steamer and sells these sticky rice cakes with red bean paste for like 3 rmb each, they're gone by 9 am usually. also if you're into dim sum at lingnan tea house, go for the first seating at 7 am when the shrimp dumplings are fresh out of the steamer, by 9 they've been sitting too long
the xinghu restaurant tip is solid but honestly for river fish i'd go to the little places along xinghu west road closer to the lake, they're cheaper and the fish comes straight from the lake that morning. if you're there during qingming festival try the ai cao ci (mugwort cakes) from the old ladies selling them near the night market, they only make them for a few weeks each year and they're incredible with the sweet bean paste inside. also that 15 rmb bowl of snails at old chen's is a steal but bring your own napkins lol they never have enough
3 Days in Zhaoqing: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in the city center, focusing on Seven Star Crags and the lakeside area. This compact zone is walkable and has most of Zhaoqing's iconic sights. You'll save time bβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1 Overview
Start your trip in the city center, focusing on Seven Star Crags and the lakeside area. This compact zone is walkable and has most of Zhaoqing's iconic sights. You'll save time by staying near the Star Lake Boulevard.
ποΈ Morning at Seven Star Crags
Arrive at Seven Star Crags Scenic Area (Qixingyan) by 8:30 AM to beat the crowds. The entrance fee is 78 RMB, and a boat ride across Star Lake costs an additional 30 RMB. Spend 3 hours exploring the limestone peaks and caves.
π Lunch on Songcheng Road
Walk to Songcheng Road, a 10-minute stroll from the scenic area, for local specialties like Zhaoqing steamed rice rolls (changfen). Try the popular restaurant 'Laozi Hao' at 15 Songcheng Road, where a meal costs around 40 RMB. The street is lively with food stalls and shops.
ποΈ Afternoon at Yuejiang Tower
After lunch, take a 15-minute taxi (15 RMB) to Yuejiang Tower on the northern bank of the Xi River. This Ming-dynasty tower offers panoramic views of the river and city. Admission is 20 RMB, and you can climb to the top for photos.
π Evening on Star Lake Boardwalk
Return to the Star Lake area for a sunset stroll along the boardwalk. The lakeside lights up at 7 PM, creating a romantic atmosphere. Grab dinner at a waterfront restaurant like 'Xinghu Restaurant' on Xinghu West Road, where a set meal costs about 80 RMB.
π― Day 2: Dinghu Mountain
Dedicate your second day to Dinghu Mountain, a 40-minute bus ride (Route 21, 5 RMB) from the city center. The entrance fee is 60 RMB, and the mountain features ancient temples and waterfalls. Start early at 8 AM to complete the main loop by noon.
β°οΈ Hiking to Qingyun Temple
From the mountain gate, hike 1.5 hours to Qingyun Temple, a serene Buddhist site dating back to the Tang dynasty. The trail is well-marked and shaded. Bring water and snacks, as there are few vendors along the path.
π Return and Local Dinner
Descend by 3 PM and take the bus back to the city (last bus at 6 PM). For dinner, head to the pedestrian street on Duanzhou Road, where 'Zhaoqing Flavor Restaurant' serves authentic claypot dishes. A meal here averages 50 RMB per person.
πΆ Day 3: Countryside and Departure
On your final day, visit the rural area of Longmu Bay, a 30-minute taxi ride (50 RMB) from the city. This scenic spot has a large reservoir and hiking trails. Spend 2 hours here before heading back to pack.
π Souvenir Shopping
Before leaving, stop at the Zhaoqing Gift Center on Xinghu East Road for local products like star anise and dried longan. Prices are reasonable, with most items under 50 RMB. The shop is open from 9 AM to 9 PM.
The itinerary has the main sights down well. One thing I'd adjust is the timing on day 2 at Dinghu Mountain. If you start the hike by 8 AM, you can reach Qingyun Temple before the tour buses roll in around 10, and the temple feels completely different when it's just you and a few monks sweeping the courtyard. The incense smoke hangs still in the morning air and you can hear the wind chimes clearly.
For dinner on Duanzhou Road, Zhaoqing Flavor Restaurant is fine but walk two blocks north to Renmin Middle Road and look for a place called Sister Chen's Kitchen. Their claypot eggplant with salted fish is the dish to order, costs about 35 RMB and comes with a free bowl of lotus root soup. The owner remembers regulars and will pour you a small cup of osmanthus tea while you wait.
On your last morning at Longmu Bay, skip the main hiking trail and take the path that branches left just past the reservoir dam. It follows a small stream for about 20 minutes and ends at an old stone bridge where local kids jump into the water in summer. There's a concrete bench under a lychee tree where you can sit and eat the dried fish snacks from the village, just watch out for the ants.
honestly the itinerary is pretty spot on, i've done similar trips a few times. one thing i'd suggest is on day 2 at dinghu mountain, instead of taking the bus back straight to the city, get off at the stop before the final one and walk through the little village there. there's a noodle shop run by an old couple that does this soupy fish noodle with local herbs, only 12 kuai a bowl and they make it fresh. the bus route 21 runs every 20 minutes so you won't miss the last one if you linger for a bit
for star lake boardwalk in the evening, the waterfront restaurants are fine but the best spot is actually the little pavilion near the east gate around 6:30 pm. the sunset hits the crags just right and the reflection turns the whole lake orange for about 10 minutes. bring some peanuts from the shop across the street, the stray cats there know the routine and will come sit with you
longmu bay is nice but if you're there on a weekend the reservoir gets busy with local families. go on a weekday if you can, it's dead quiet and you might spot the herons that nest in the reeds by the hiking trail
yeah this is a really good setup, covers the essentials without being too packed. one thing i'd say is that dinghu mountain can get pretty humid even in the morning, so bring a small towel or extra shirt if you're hiking up to qingyun temple. i made that mistake and was soaking by the time i reached the top, the breeze at the temple was nice but the walk down was rough
also on day 1, after yuejiang tower there's a tiny park right underneath it called the xi river promenade, costs nothing and has these old banyan trees with roots hanging down. locals go there to play cards and drink tea in the afternoon, it's a chill spot to sit for 20 minutes before heading back to star lake. the view from the tower is better but the promenade has a different vibe
for the longmu bay day, if you have time theres a small village just past the reservoir called longmu village, maybe 15 minutes walk. they sell homemade rice wine and this dried fish snack that's super salty but addictive, the old ladies there are really friendly and will let you try before buying. just bring cash, they don't take wechat pay