24-Hour Special Forces-Style Day Trip Guide from Shenzhen to Zhaoqing

At 8:30 in the morning, I stood amidst the bustling crowd at Shenzhen North Station, filled with anticipation for Zhaoqing—the "Little Guilin of Lingnan"—as I boarded the high-speed train. This action-packed day was both intense and exciting. Follow my guide to unlock the charm of a one-day trip to Zhaoqing! 1. Essential Packing List Don’t forget these must-haves: ID card (travel essential), umbrella (for unpredictable weather), power bank (to keep devices charged), camera/CCD (to capture beautiful moments), headphones (for music on the go), tissues (handy backup), loose powder and lipstick (quick touch-ups), and sunscreen (to shield against strong sunlight). 2. Transportation Guide This trip mainly relies on high-speed rail and taxis. - High-speed rail: - Depart from Shenzhen North Station at 08:24, arrive at Zhaoqing East Station by 09:46—just under 1.5 hours to travel from the bustling city to this quaint Lingnan town. - Return from Zhaoqing East Station at 19:36, arriving back at Shenzhen North Station by 21:11, perfectly wrapping up the day. Be sure to book round-trip tickets in advance to avoid delays. - Taxi: - Zhaoqing East Station to Dinghu Mountain: ~¥25. - Dinghu Mountain to Seven Star Crags: ¥11.25. - Seven Star Crags to Liqiao Tower: just ¥5.55. - Songcheng Qilou to Zhaoqing East Station: ¥40.16. 3. Action-Packed Itinerary (1) Dinghu Mountain (Ticket: ¥70/person) - Baoding Garden: Start with a delicious breakfast at the entrance to fuel your day. You can also buy wishing balls here—¥10 for 5. Pro tip: When tossing the ball for blessings, grip the middle firmly and throw with force for better success! - Sightseeing bus: The scenic area is vast, so the ¥20 round-trip bus is highly recommended to save energy for the stunning views. - Butterfly Valley: Just 180m from Baoding Garden, take a ¥35 boat ride to Tongxin Island, surrounded by breathtaking lake and mountain scenery—like stepping into a fairy tale. (2) Seven Star Crags (Ticket: ¥70/person) Recommended route: North Gate → Water Forest Fun → Peach Blossom Island → Consul Forest → Misty Rain Bridge → Iron Chain Bridge → Nine-Turn Bridge → Fish Viewing Pond → Houle Pavilion → Beihai Stele Pavilion → Water Palace Moon → Five-Dragon Pavilion → Seven Star Bridge → Spring Dawn at Star Crags → South Gate. Follow this path to marvel at the unique landscapes shaped by nature’s artistry. (3) Ancient City Wall Stroll through Liqiao Tower and Piyun Tower, touch the weathered history of Zhaoqing’s ancient walls, explore Zhongyong Road, and admire the distinctive charm of Songcheng Qilou—like stepping back in time. 4. Cost Breakdown Total expenses for the day: ~¥498.46 - Transportation: Round-trip high-speed rail ¥217; taxis (¥25 + ¥11.25 + ¥5.55 + ¥40.16). - Tickets: Dinghu Mountain ¥70, Seven Star Crags ¥70. If visiting both, the ¥100 annual pass is a steal! - Other: Wishing balls ¥10/5; Butterfly Valley boat ticket ¥35; local eats—pork noodle soup ¥12, zongzi ¥7, egg pancake ¥6, Feipo fish balls ¥10, mango juice ¥10. 5. Pro Tips 1. The high-speed rail from Shenzhen to Zhaoqing takes under 1.5 hours—book round-trip tickets early to avoid sold-out woes. 2. Dinghu Mountain and Seven Star Crags are expansive; sightseeing buses save energy for more fun. 3. The annual pass (¥100) is a no-brainer if visiting both sites. 4. Zhaoqing’s sun is intense—sun protection is a must to avoid burns. On the return train to Shenzhen, I scrolled through my camera, reliving the day’s adventures. Though brief, this Zhaoqing day trip was packed with excitement. This underrated "Little Guilin of Lingnan" is truly worth 24 hours to uncover its unique beauty!