Shaoguan Administrative Divisions

Shaoguan (韶关) is located in the Nanling mountain region of northern Guangdong, close to the borders of Hunan and Jiangxi. The city administers three municipal districts, four counties, one autonomous county and two county-level cities, comprising Zhenjiang District (浈江区), Wujiang District (武江区), Qujiang District (曲江区), Renhua County (仁化县), Shixing County (始兴县), Wengyuan County (翁源县), Xinfeng County (新丰县), Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County (乳源瑶族自治县), Lechang City (乐昌市) and Nanxiong City (南雄市).

At township level, Shaoguan contains 10 subdistricts, 94 towns and one ethnic township. Several industrial or community management offices also operate within the city, but they are not counted as statutory subdistricts or towns. The municipal government is located in Zhenjiang District.

The three central districts form Shaoguan’s urban, commercial and cultural core. Renhua and Shixing concentrate on Danxia geology, forests and Hakka villages; Nanxiong and Lechang connect Guangdong with Hunan and Jiangxi through ancient routes, flower valleys and mountain landscapes; Wengyuan and Xinfeng specialise in orchids, fruit farms, hot springs and forest wellness; while Ruyuan presents canyon scenery and Guoshan Yao ethnic culture.

Zhenjiang District

Zhenjiang District (浈江区) administers Fengcai Subdistrict (风采街道), Donghe Subdistrict (东河街道), Chezhan Subdistrict (车站街道), Xinshao Town (新韶镇), Leyuan Town (乐园镇), Shiliting Town (十里亭镇), Lishi Town (犁市镇) and Huaping Town (花坪镇).

Zhenjiang is Shaoguan’s historic urban centre, where the Zhen River and Wu River meet to form the Beijiang River. Its principal cultural attractions include Fengcai Tower (风采楼), Centennial East Street (百年东街), Shaoyang Tower (韶阳楼), traditional riverside neighbourhoods and historic buildings around Fengcai Subdistrict. The riverside old city is suitable for architecture walks, local food, evening sightseeing and urban heritage programmes.

Wujiang District

Wujiang District (武江区) administers Xinhua Subdistrict (新华街道), Huimin Subdistrict (惠民街道), Xilian Town (西联镇), Xihe Town (西河镇), Chongyang Town (重阳镇), Longgui Town (龙归镇) and Jiangwan Town (江湾镇).

Wujiang is Shaoguan’s modern administrative, cultural and commercial centre. The district contains Shaoguan Museum (韶关市博物馆), modern shopping districts, urban parks and newer residential areas, while Longgui, Chongyang and Jiangwan provide countryside scenery, farms and mountain recreation. Longgui is particularly associated with traditional rural food, including the locally recognised preparation of cold-water pork tripe.

Qujiang District

Qujiang District (曲江区) administers Songshan Subdistrict (松山街道) and nine towns: Maba (马坝), Datang (大塘), Fengwan (枫湾), Xiaokeng (小坑), Shaxi (沙溪), Wushi (乌石), Zhangshi (樟市), Baitu (白土) and Luokeng (罗坑).

Qujiang is the centre of Shaoguan’s prehistoric archaeology and Chan Buddhist heritage. Nanhua Temple (南华禅寺) was founded in 502 and became closely associated with Huineng (惠能), the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism. The nearby Maba Man Site (马坝人遗址) and Shixia archaeological remains introduce prehistoric human activity and early agricultural culture in northern Guangdong. Additional resources include Luokeng grassland and reservoir scenery, Xiaokeng forest landscapes, Fengwan hot springs and Qujiang’s traditional wood-fired ceramic craftsmanship.

Renhua County

Renhua County (仁化县) administers Danxia Subdistrict (丹霞街道) and ten towns: Chengkou (城口), Changjiang (长江), Fuxi (扶溪), Dongtang (董塘), Shitang (石塘), Wenshao (闻韶), Hongshan (红山), Huangkeng (黄坑), Daqiao (大桥) and Zhoutian (周田).

Renhua is dominated by Danxia Mountain (丹霞山), the type locality of Danxia landforms, a national 5A attraction, a UNESCO Global Geopark and part of the China Danxia World Heritage property. The county also offers Shitang Ancient Village (石塘古村), Shuangfeng Fortress (双峰寨), Lingxi River Forest Park (灵溪河森林公园), red-history sites around Chengkou and white-hair tea plantations in Hongshan. These resources support geological research, hiking, rural holidays, tea culture and Long March education.

Nanxiong City

Nanxiong City (南雄市) administers Xiongzhou Subdistrict (雄州街道) and seventeen towns: Wujing (乌迳), Jiezhi (界址), Pingtian (坪田), Huangkeng (黄坑), Dengfang (邓坊), Youshan (油山), Nanmu (南亩), Shuikou (水口), Jiangtou (江头), Hukou (湖口), Zhuji (珠玑), Zhutian (主田), Gushi (古市), Quan’an (全安), Baishun (百顺), Lanhe (澜河) and Maozifeng (帽子峰).

Nanxiong is an important gateway between Guangdong and Jiangxi. Its best-known attractions are Zhuji Ancient Lane (珠玑古巷), the Meiguan Ancient Route (梅关古道), Maozifeng forest landscapes and the ancient ginkgo communities around Pingtian. San影塔 (三影塔), traditional villages, migration heritage and seasonal plum blossom and ginkgo scenery make Nanxiong particularly suitable for ancestry tours, cultural study and autumn photography.

Lechang City

Lechang City (乐昌市) administers Lecheng Subdistrict (乐城街道) and sixteen towns: Beixiang (北乡), Jiufeng (九峰), Langtian (廊田), Changlai (长来), Meihua (梅花), Sanxi (三溪), Pingshi (坪石), Huangpu (黄圃), Wushan (五山), Liangjiang (两江), Shaping (沙坪), Yunyan (云岩), Xiushui (秀水), Dayuan (大源), Qingyun (庆云) and Baishi (白石).

Lechang forms Shaoguan’s northwestern gateway toward Hunan. Gufodongtian Cave (古佛洞天) is its principal national 4A attraction, while Golden Rooster Ridge (金鸡岭), the Pingshi historical education area, Jiufeng’s seasonal flower valleys and rural wineries broaden the city’s appeal. Lechang is well suited to cave exploration, spring flower photography, red-history study and countryside self-driving.

Shixing County

Shixing County (始兴县) has no subdistricts and administers nine towns—Taiping (太平), Mashi (马市), Chengjiang (澄江), Dungang (顿岗), Luoba (罗坝), Siqian (司前), Aizi (隘子), Chengnan (城南) and Shensuo (沈所)—together with Shendushui Yao Ethnic Township (深渡水瑶族乡), Shaoguan’s only ethnic township.

Shixing is known for Hakka enclosed houses, forests and traditional villages. Mantang Hakka Enclosed House (满堂客家大围) is the county’s leading architectural attraction, while Chebaling National Nature Reserve (车八岭国家级自然保护区) protects an important area of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest. Shendushui provides Yao village scenery and cultural experiences, while Luoba and other mountain areas support hot-spring, forest and rural holidays.

Wengyuan County

Wengyuan County (翁源县) has no subdistricts and administers eight towns: Longxian (龙仙), Bazi (坝仔), Jiangwei (江尾), Guandu (官渡), Zhoupi (周陂), Wengcheng (翁城), Xinjiang (新江) and Tielong (铁龙).

Wengyuan is widely associated with orchids, Sanhua plums and Hakka countryside. Its main resources include orchid cultivation and exhibition centres, Donghua Mountain (东华山), Tu Zhiwei Art Museum (涂志伟美术馆), Huxinba Hakka building groups (湖心坝客家群楼), fruit farms and seasonal flower routes. The integration of orchid production, agricultural exhibitions and rural tourism makes Wengyuan suitable for horticultural study, art visits and family picking holidays.

Xinfeng County

Xinfeng County (新丰县) administers Fengcheng Subdistrict (丰城街道) and six towns: Huangqi (黄磜), Matou (马头), Meikeng (梅坑), Shatian (沙田), Yaotian (遥田) and Huilong (回龙).

Xinfeng is Shaoguan’s southern forest and hot-spring destination. Yunji Mountain (云髻山) is known for mountain scenery, streams, autumn foliage and a collection of relocated traditional buildings at Yunji Ancient Town. Other attractions include Sakura Valley (樱花峪), Lingnan Red Leaves World (岭南红叶世界), forest resorts and hot-spring properties. The county is particularly suitable for wellness holidays, flower viewing, autumn photography and weekend driving from the Greater Bay Area.

Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County

Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County (乳源瑶族自治县) has no subdistricts and administers nine towns: Rucheng (乳城), Yiliu (一六), Guitou (桂头), Luoyang (洛阳), Dabu (大布), Daqiao (大桥), Dongping (东坪), Youxi (游溪) and Bibei (必背).

Ruyuan is a major centre of Guoshan Yao culture (过山瑶文化) and mountain tourism in northern Guangdong. Its principal attractions include Yunmen Mountain Tourism Resort (云门山旅游度假区), Yunmen Temple (云门寺), Guangdong Ruyuan Grand Canyon (广东乳源大峡谷), Nanling forest landscapes, Nanshui Lake, the Xijing Ancient Route (西京古道), Yao villages and hot-spring resorts. Yao embroidery, traditional festivals, folk songs and village customs provide important resources for ethnic-culture study.

Complete Shaoguan Administrative Division Table

The following list reflects Shaoguan’s current structure of 10 subdistricts, 94 towns and one ethnic township. Management offices are not included in the statutory total.

Planning Shaoguan Travel by Area

A classic first visit should combine Zhenjiang, Wujiang and Qujiang, covering the historic city, Shaoguan Museum, Nanhua Temple and the Maba Man Site. Renhua requires at least one complete day for Danxia Mountain, while Nanxiong is best visited in autumn for ginkgo forests or in winter and spring for the Meiguan route.

Lechang is suitable for cave and flower-themed journeys, Shixing for Hakka architecture and forest ecology, and Wengyuan for orchids and agricultural tourism. Xinfeng and Ruyuan are stronger choices for hot springs, mountain retreats and summer wellness. Travellers exploring several counties should use a private car or licensed coach because Shaoguan’s rural attractions are widely dispersed.

Yaso Trip can arrange customised Shaoguan routes for international visitors, overseas Chinese families and educational groups, including bilingual guides, private transport, Danxia geological study, Chan Buddhist culture, archaeological programmes, Yao cultural exchanges, Hakka village visits and forest accommodation.