GBA city guide
Zhaoqing pairs the limestone outcrops of Seven Star Rock with Duanzhou's old walls and the forest of Dinghushan, the People's Republic of China's first nature reserve. It is also the home of Duan inkstones, whose local stone has served brush calligraphers and painters for more than 1,300 years.
Zhaoqing lies beside the Xijiang River on the western side of the Greater Bay Area. Duanzhou is the old urban centre, Dinghu is the mountain and eastern-railway area, and the municipality extends to Gaoyao, Sihui and four counties. Dawang's high-tech zone is a separate industrial destination.
Living & visiting
Duanzhou brings together the old city walls, Piyun Tower, Liqiao Tower, Chaotian Gate, the city museum and arcaded streets. At Star Lake, Seven Star Rock's limestone outcrops rise from a landscape of water and parks; the Xijiang riverfront adds another public walking space.
Dinghushan is east of Duanzhou, with forest ecology as well as scenic walks. The reserve administration publishes a nature-education enquiry line, +86 758 2624 396, for questions about its science-education activities; protected research areas and organised activities have their own access arrangements.
Sihui's jade trade includes Tianguangxu and Yubocheng markets, workshops and carving businesses. Allow a separate outing from Duanzhou if you want to explore the trade as well as the old city and lakes.
Zhaoqing railway station is near Bohai Park and the northwestern side of Star Lake in Duanzhou. Zhaoqing East is beside the separately named Dinghu East intercity station, farther east in the new-area industrial setting. Dawang is another destination within the municipality. The municipal guide explains these station areas, and China Railway provides current trains and tickets.
Zhaoqing First People's Hospital is at 9 Donggang East Road, Duanzhou. Outpatient enquiries: +86 758 2102 104, answered during weekday daytime hours. The hospital publishes its appointment mini programme and service-account QR codes; the enquiry desk can explain first-registration routes for passport holders.
Select Guangdong and Zhaoqing in the Ministry of Science and Technology's service directory to find the work-permit receiving office and enquiry contact. Confirm the application type and handling window with the employer before travelling; the directory supplies local contacts rather than a residence-permit application.
An inkstone is used to prepare ink for brush calligraphy and painting. Duan stone comes from the Duanxi area by Lanke Mountain, southeast of Zhaoqing; its name recalls Duanzhou, the city's older name. The Palace Museum records more than 1,300 years of use and distinctive natural markings, including stone 'eyes'. The material is part of the craft, alongside the carving. The Duan Inkstone Museum near Duanzhou station explores this local craft.
Established in 1956, Dinghushan was the first nature reserve in the People's Republic of China. The Chinese Academy of Sciences describes a continuing role in biodiversity protection, ecological research and environmental education. Its mountain forest is therefore both a landscape to experience and a place where scientists study how ecosystems work.
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Business & industry
Dawang's high-tech zone is home to XPENG's Zhaoqing factory and businesses making automotive electronics, safety products, lightweight components and charging equipment. For readers researching vehicle manufacturing, XPENG's published factory account describes its production workshops; the city industry information covers the wider supply chain.
Jinli in Gaoyao is one of Zhaoqing's established hardware-manufacturing towns. It is the part of the city to investigate for metal products, while Dawang is better known for vehicles and Sihui for jade. Start with the linked industry information to see whether the town fits your product search.
Sihui's jade workshops and markets are a different buying destination from Dawang's vehicles and Jinli's metal products. Tianguangxu and Yubocheng are among its specialist jade markets; product selection, carving and wholesale trading form the local industry.
Dawang, Zhaoqing high-tech zone
Jinli, Gaoyao
Sihui, including Tianguangxu
Population: Approximately 4.12 million
Land area: 14,891 km²
2025 GDP: RMB 297.484 billion (approx. NZ$71.3 billion)
NZD conversion uses the same-year SAFE annual average.
Three administrative districts, four counties and the county-level city of Sihui.