Zhaoqing

Zhaoqing (肇庆) is a prefecture-level city of Guangdong province in southern China. Population: 5.69 million. Area: 22,322 km².

Administration

Zhaoqing has juridiction over 2 districts, 4 counties and 2 cities:

• Deqing County
• Dinghu District
• Duanzhou District
• Fengkai County
• Gaoyao City
• Guangning County
• Huaiji County
• Sihui City

Geography

Zhaoqing is located 110km northwest of Guangzhou, in the west Pearl River Delta. It lies on the north shores of the Xijiang River, which is flowing from west to east, and opposite of Gaoyao. A plain area lies to the south and west of Zhaoqing, and a mountainous area to the east and north.

The city lies in a south subtropical monsoon climatic zone. The yearly average temperature is 21.9oC, and annual precipitation is 1605 mm.

Highlights

• Limestone peaks at Seven Star Crags
• Dinghu Mountain
• Song Township city walls, over 800 years old
• Chongxi Pagoda
• Tower for Reviewing the River
• Baogong Memorial Temple

Economy

Local resources include: coal, limestone, copper, lead, zinc, granite, gold, sulfur, gypsum and other minerals.

Industries: food industry, instruments and meters, textile, electronics and leather industries. Yunfu is a major area for the production of sulphur and iron.

Farming: paddy rice, sugar cane, poultry and animal husbandry, aquatic products, fruits, flowers and plants, rosin, casia bark and south herbal medicine.

Colleges and universities

• Zhaoqing University

Transportation

Jiaoqing is served by railways and highways. Direct train and bus services connect it to Guangzhou, Hong Kong and other cities in Guangdong.

Chu Kong Passenger Transport operates a daily ferry service between Hong Kong and Zhaoqing.