How to get to Zhaoqing from Hong Kong

Among the 11 cities of China’s Greater Bay Area, Zhaoqing is distinguished by its abundance of lush greenery. Just an hour’s drive west from Guangzhou, this ancient city is cushioned by rice paddies, aquaculture ponds and forested mountains. 

Zhaoqing’s largely flat landscape is beautifully punctuated by Star Lake and the Seven Star Crags – limestone rocks that are said to be a gift from the gods, owing to their resemblance to the seven stars of the Big Dipper constellation. The crags can either be admired from a distance via boat tour or climbed. If you opt for the latter, be prepared for steep stairs and cave pathways, but you’ll be rewarded with impeccable views at the top. There are plenty of tour options available to book online. 

Another scenic draw is Dinghu Mountain, a 5A-grade Scenic Area – the highest level of honour an attraction can be awarded on the Chinese Mainland – roughly 20km from the city centre. Translating to “three-legged vessel lake” mountain, Dinghu boasts luscious mountain ranges, forests and waterfalls, which visitors can explore on foot or by boat. Stop by the Qingyun Temple of Zhaoqing, which dates to the late Ming/early Qing Dynasty.  

Meanwhile, animal lovers won’t want to miss out on the National Xinghu Marsh Park, a reserve bordering the Star Lake home to red-crowned cranes and other exotic species. 

Located approximately 250km from Hong Kong, Zhaoqing – unlike major metropolises like Guangzhou and Shenzhen – is limited to travel by land. Nevertheless, transport options abound. 

Hong Kong to Zhaoqing by high-speed train 

In operation since 2019, two high-speed trains carry passengers daily from Hong Kong’s West Kowloon station to Zhaoqingdong (or Zhaoqing East) in under two hours.  

Ticket fares are set in CN¥, which mean prices fluctuate in HK$, but they typically range from HK$275 for a second class ticket to HK$817 for business class; the extra dollars pay for more leg room, meals, amenities like slippers and ear plugs, as well as seats that can swivel and recline for extra comfort. See the train timetable and fares ahead of your journey.  

Passengers with a Mainland Chinese phone number can pre-purchase tickets via the Railway 12306  website or app, available on iOS  and Android . There is an English version that welcomes users with foreign passports. Otherwise, you can buy tickets in-person at West Kowloon Station with identity verification.  

Hong Kong to Zhaoqing by bus  

Unlike other major cities in the Greater Bay Area, bus options to Zhaoqing are far and few. Only Eternal East Bus provides pick-up services from the most populous neighbourhoods in Kowloon and the New Territories – such as Prince Edward, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun’s V City mall and Hong Kong International Airport – to hotels within the idyllic Seven Star Crags area. The three daily trips, which take 4 hours 30 minutes, cost CN¥180 per person.   

Hong Kong to Zhaoqing by car

Hong Kong residents can get behind their own wheel and make the three-hour journey to Zhaoqing via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge . They must be registered owners of a non-commercial private car that measures less than six metres in length and has eight or fewer seats – including the driver’s. For stays of up to 30 consecutive days (with a cap of 180 days per year), vehicles must also have licenses and permits for both Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Full details can be found here .