Zhaoqing has been celebrated for its beautiful landscapes since the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is located in the middle-western part of Guangdong Province, with the Xijiang River, the main tributary of the Zhujiang (Pearl) River passing through it. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Emperor Huizong dubbed this place Zhaoqing, or "the beginning of good luck and happiness."

Since the Sui Dynasty (581-618), Zhaoqing has served as a center for politics, economy and culture, as well as a place of military signifigance, leaving behind many historic reminders, such as Qingyun Temple of the Tang Dynasty, the city wall of the Song Dynasty, and the Four Pagodas of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as well as Piyun Tower, Mei'an Nunnery, Yuejiang Tower, and Liqiao Tower.

Traces of many Chinese historical figures can also be found in Zhaoqing, including the inscribed stone tablet at Mt. Dinghu, to commemorate Rong Rui, a great master Buddhist monk who came to China from Japan to learn from Jian Zhen, an eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty. He later died in Zhaoqing. For three years Bao Zheng, a senior official of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), worked in Zhaoqing when it was known as Duanzhou.

Throughout history, the natural landscape of Zhaoqing has inspired many artists and men of letters, whose works can be found on cliff carvings in the Corridor of Poems of One Thousand Years.
There are more than 300 places of cultural interest in Zhaoqing.

Zhaoqing takes pride in its high-quality inkslabs, produced since the Tang Dynasty. Work with such slabs is one of the "four treasures of study" (together with the writing brush, xuan paper, and ink). The raw material for the inkslabs is pure and fine stone, and the craftsmanship of the carving on them is superb. They were tributes to the royal courts of past dynasties.

Major tourist attractions in Zhaoqing are the Seven-Star Crags and Mt. Dinghu.

The Seven-Star Crags Scenic Area is located in the city proper. As you walk northward from central Zhaoqing, rocks scattered like the Big Dipper in the vast lake come into view. It is a top attraction because it combines the landscapes of the West Lake in Hangzhou and the mountains in Yangshuo. The main rock of the Seven-Star Crags is Shishi, featured by limestone caves stretching from north to south, where an underground river flows. The vaulted roof measures 30 meters tall, hung with limestone formations of various shapes. The Corridor of Poems of One Thousand Years is right on the cliffs of Shishi.

At the northeastern corner of the Seven-Star Crags is Fairy Maiden Lake. In the mist of early morning, you can see a graceful fairy maiden standing in the water, praying, perhaps longing for something. At dusk, you can see a rock resembling a giant reclining Buddha from the Buddha View Terrace.

Mt. Dinghu is one of the four famous mountains in the South of the Five Ridges. Eighteen kilometers from downtown Zhaoqing, it has an abundant forest housing ancient trees. There are 20 scenic spots, 30 waterfalls and Qingyun Temple, one of the four famous temples in the South of the Five Ridges. The mountain integrates the resources of tourism, religion, and scientific research, and it has become a world-class natural reserve. UNESCO has established a center here for the ecological research of Man and the Biosphere. Dinghu is sometimes called a natural oxygen bar because of its clear air.

There are also other tourist attractions in Zhaoqing, such as the Temple of the Dragon's Mother and the Coiling Dragon Gorge in Deqing, the Big Spot Rock in Fengkai, the Swallow Rock in Huaiji, the Sea of Bamboo in Guangning, Mt. Zhenshan in Sihui, and the Eco-Park in Gaoyao.

The long history, the lively culture, and the natural landscape have afforded Zhaoqing great opportunity for successful tourism.

Nevertheless, Zhaoqing feels the great opportunity for further development in the new millennium. Geographically, it is situated in the Zhujiang River Delta Economic Zone and mountainous areas, touching the Guangzhou-Foshan Economic Rim. Industrially, it enjoys advantages in primary industries but still has a long way to go in terms of the secondary industries compared with what has been achieved in the developed Zhujiang River Delta. The tertiary industries cannot advance dramatically unless the industrialization can mobilize the circulation of talented personnel and materials, although Zhaoqing has rich tourism resources. The municipal government has thus made plans focusing on further developing eastern Zhaoqing and energizing the city with industry.

The plan for further developing eastern Zhaoqing mainly includes the participation of the development as a member of the Zhujiang River Delta; and the industrial plans concern the industrial development in the downtown area, industrial zones, and counties. At present, Zhaoqing has established a number of industrial zones, including Dawang, Nanjiang, and Jindu, and produced some famous enterprises, such as the Blue Ribbon Brewery, the Fenghua Hi-Tech Company, and the Star-Lake Bio Company. A 100-square-kilometer industrial zone along the Guangzhou-Zhaoqing Expressway is under construction, drawing more investment and firms from China and overseas. A new tide of economic development is ahead.

 (China Pictorial November 7, 2003)