Zhaoqing Administrative Divisions

Zhaoqing (肇庆) is a prefecture-level city in western Guangdong Province (广东省) and an important gateway connecting the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (粤港澳大湾区) with western Guangdong and neighbouring Guangxi (广西). Historically known as Duanzhou (端州), the city developed along the Xijiang River (西江) and is recognised for its karst lakes, subtropical forests, ancient prefectural heritage, Duan inkstone craftsmanship, Lingnan temples, bamboo landscapes, river valleys and ethnic minority culture.

Zhaoqing administers eight county-level divisions, comprising Duanzhou District (端州区), Dinghu District (鼎湖区), Gaoyao District (高要区), Guangning County (广宁县), Deqing County (德庆县), Fengkai County (封开县), Huaiji County (怀集县) and the county-level Sihui City (四会市). The municipal government is located in Duanzhou District, which serves as the city’s political, cultural, commercial and tourism centre.

Following the town-level administrative adjustments completed in 2026, Zhaoqing currently administers 17 subdistricts, 84 towns and one ethnic township, forming a total of 102 township-level administrative units. Some earlier documents still list 86 towns because they predate the merger of Didou and Luoyuan in Sihui, the merger of Pingfeng and Jiangchuan in Fengkai, and the incorporation of Luogang into Nanjie Subdistrict in Guangning.

Administrative Adjustments Completed in 2026

In March 2026, the former Didou Town (地豆镇) and Luoyuan Town (罗源镇) in Sihui City were merged into an enlarged Didou Town. Luoyuan is therefore no longer counted as an independent town, and Sihui now administers four subdistricts and nine towns.

During the same period, the former Pingfeng Town (平凤镇) and Jiangchuan Town (江川镇) in Fengkai County were merged into an enlarged Pingfeng Town. Jiangchuan is no longer listed as an independent town, leaving Fengkai with one subdistrict and fourteen towns.

In July 2026, Luogang Town (螺岗镇) in Guangning County was abolished and incorporated into Nanjie Subdistrict (南街街道). Guangning therefore now administers one subdistrict and thirteen towns.

Zhaoqing’s Main Functional Development Zones

Zhaoqing contains three major functional development platforms: Zhaoqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone (肇庆高新技术产业开发区), Zhaoqing New District (肇庆新区) and the Guangdong–Guangxi Cooperation Special Pilot Zone (粤桂合作特别试验区). These areas coordinate industrial development, investment, infrastructure and regional cooperation, but they are not separate county-level administrative divisions.

Zhaoqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone

Zhaoqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, commonly known as Dawang High-Tech Zone (大旺高新区), is a national-level development zone centred on Dawang Subdistrict (大旺街道) in Sihui City. The area focuses on advanced manufacturing, new-energy vehicles, electronic information, metal processing, food production and modern industrial services. Its tourism potential lies mainly in industrial study tours, enterprise visits, manufacturing exhibitions, urban parks and business travel. Although the development zone is frequently presented separately in economic publications, Dawang remains a statutory subdistrict of Sihui City.

Zhaoqing New District

Zhaoqing New District is a modern urban-development area closely connected with Dinghu District. The district and new-area management systems cooperate in infrastructure, investment, transport, public facilities and large-scale urban development. Tourism and leisure resources around the wider new-district area include waterfront parks, cultural venues, exhibition facilities, modern urban landscapes, Zhaoqing East Railway Station (肇庆东站), Dinghu Mountain (鼎湖山) and routes toward Yanzhou Island (砚洲岛).

Guangdong–Guangxi Cooperation Special Pilot Zone

The Guangdong–Guangxi Cooperation Special Pilot Zone is a cross-provincial development platform between Zhaoqing and Wuzhou (梧州). The Zhaoqing section is located in Fengkai County, particularly around Pingfeng and the former Jiangchuan area. Its tourism value comes from the convergence of Guangdong and Guangxi cultures, Xijiang and Hejiang river landscapes, ancient trade routes, border villages and regional self-driving routes.

Duanzhou District

Duanzhou District (端州区) is the central urban district and historic heart of Zhaoqing. It administers four subdistricts—Chengdong Subdistrict (城东街道), Chengxi Subdistrict (城西街道), Huanggang Subdistrict (黄岗街道) and Mugang Subdistrict (睦岗街道)—and contains no towns.

The district occupies the northern bank of the Xijiang River and combines urban plains with the karst peaks and lakes of the Xinghu landscape. It is the best accommodation and sightseeing base for first-time visitors because the city’s principal attractions, museums, restaurants, hotels and public transport are concentrated here.

Duanzhou’s defining attraction is Seven Star Crags Scenic Area (七星岩景区), the urban component of the national 5A Xinghu Scenic Area (星湖旅游景区). Seven limestone peaks rise around a network of lakes, caves, causeways, pavilions and wetlands. The wider landscape includes Xinghu National Wetland Park (星湖国家湿地公园), Fairy Lake (仙女湖), Yanqian Peninsula (岩前半岛), Xianggang Mountain viewing routes and the Xinghu waterfront greenway.

The district also preserves Zhaoqing’s strongest collection of historic architecture. Representative sites include Zhaoqing Ancient City Wall (肇庆古城墙), Piyun Tower (披云楼), Liqiao Tower (丽谯楼), Yuejiang Tower (阅江楼), the Former Headquarters of the Ye Ting Independent Regiment (叶挺独立团团部旧址), Mei’an Temple (梅庵) and Bao Gong Cultural Park (包公文化园). Together, these attractions reveal the development of the former Duanzhou prefectural city from the Song dynasty through the modern revolutionary period.

Duanzhou is also the historical centre of Duan inkstone craftsmanship (端砚制作技艺). Inkstone museums, carving studios, artisan communities and calligraphy programmes allow visitors to understand the geology, artistic design and production skills behind one of China’s Four Famous Inkstones. Modern leisure is concentrated around Yanqian Peninsula, Xinghu Archway Square, lakefront cafés, creative parks and riverside public spaces.

Dinghu District

Dinghu District (鼎湖区) administers three subdistricts—Kengkou Subdistrict (坑口街道), Guicheng Subdistrict (桂城街道) and Guangli Subdistrict (广利街道)—together with four towns: Yong’an Town (永安镇), Shapu Town (沙浦镇), Fenghuang Town (凤凰镇) and Lianhua Town (莲花镇).

The district stretches from the Xijiang River to the forested mountain landscapes north of the urban area. It is Zhaoqing’s principal destination for forest ecology, Buddhist culture, wellness, hiking and river-island recreation.

Its leading attraction is Dinghu Mountain Scenic Area, the forest component of the national 5A Xinghu Scenic Area. Dinghu Mountain became China’s first national nature reserve in 1956 and was later incorporated into UNESCO’s international biosphere-reserve network. The mountain contains Feishui Pool Waterfall (飞水潭), Qingyun Temple (庆云寺), Baoding Garden (宝鼎园), Butterfly Valley (蝴蝶谷), subtropical forest trails, mountain streams and ecological research routes.

Additional tourism resources include Lingyang Gorge Ancient Plank Road Forest Park (羚羊峡古栈道森林公园), Yanzhou Island, Jiulong Lake (九龙湖) and the agricultural and wetland landscapes around Shapu. Yanzhou Island is suitable for cycling, village walks, riverside recreation and countryside photography, while Lingyang Gorge offers a quieter hiking route beside the Xijiang River.

Gaoyao District

Gaoyao District (高要区) administers Nan’an Subdistrict (南岸街道) and sixteen towns: Hetai (河台), Lecheng (乐城), Shuinan (水南), Lubu (禄步), Xiaoxiang (小湘), Dawan (大湾), Xinqiao (新桥), Baizhu (白诸), Liantang (莲塘), Huodao (活道), Jiaotang (蛟塘), Huilong (回龙), Baitu (白土), Jindu (金渡), Jinli (金利) and Xiangang (蚬岗).

Located mainly south of the Xijiang River, Gaoyao contains hills, river plains, reservoirs, agricultural fields and traditional villages. Its proximity to Duanzhou makes it suitable for short self-driving excursions and family countryside holidays.

Representative tourism resources include Licha Bagua Village (黎槎八卦村), Cat’s Paw Valley Scenic Area (猫爪谷景区), Ziyun Valley (紫云谷) and the traditional weaving and village culture of Xinqiao. Licha Bagua Village is recognised for its unusual lane system, ancestral halls and traditional settlement layout, while Cat’s Paw Valley combines family activities, farm experiences, animal interaction, outdoor recreation and countryside accommodation.

The plains around Baitu, Huilong, Jindu and Jinli support fish ponds, vegetable farms, rural restaurants, seasonal flower viewing and parent–child agricultural programmes. Gaoyao is therefore particularly suitable for families, village-architecture enthusiasts, photographers and travellers seeking a relaxed rural extension from central Zhaoqing.

Sihui City

Sihui City (四会市) is a county-level city administered by Zhaoqing. Following the 2026 merger of Didou and Luoyuan, it now administers four subdistricts—Chengzhong (城中街道), Dongcheng (东城街道), Zhenshan (贞山街道) and Dawang (大旺街道)—and nine towns: Longfu (龙甫), Didou (地豆), Weizheng (威整), Jingkou (迳口), Dasha (大沙), Shigou (石狗), Huangtian (黄田), Xiamao (下茆) and Jianggu (江谷).

Sihui combines mountain scenery, waterfalls, Buddhist heritage, citrus agriculture, jade craftsmanship and industrial tourism. Strange Stone River Scenic Area (奇石河景区) is its best-known natural attraction, featuring a rocky forest valley, streams and the Silver Dragon Waterfall (银龙大瀑布). Zhenshan Scenic Area (贞山风景区) and local Sixth Patriarch Buddhist traditions add religious and cultural depth to the city’s tourism resources.

Sihui is also one of China’s principal jadeite-processing and trading centres. Visitors can explore Sihui Jade Expo City (四会玉器博览城), jade-carving studios, wholesale markets, design centres, certification services and livestream sales businesses. Expensive jade purchases should be made through established businesses with recognised inspection certificates.

Shigou and other rural parts of Sihui are associated with citrus orchards, agricultural festivals, countryside food and family recreation. Dawang Subdistrict, which forms the core of Zhaoqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, provides industrial study and business-tourism opportunities.

Guangning County

Guangning County (广宁县) administers Nanjie Subdistrict (南街街道) and thirteen towns: Paisha (排沙), Tanbu (潭布), Jiangtun (江屯), Beishi (北市), Kengkou (坑口), Chikeng (赤坑), Binheng (宾亨), Wuhe (五和), Hengshan (横山), Muge (木格), Zhouzai (洲仔), Gushui (古水) and Shizui (石咀). The former Luogang Town was incorporated into Nanjie Subdistrict in July 2026.

Guangning is one of Guangdong’s most important bamboo-producing areas and Zhaoqing’s leading destination for bamboo forests, river-valley scenery, rural wellness and handicraft culture. Its central tourism resource is the Suijiang Bamboo Sea Ecotourism Area (绥江竹海生态旅游景区), where bamboo-covered mountains meet the winding Suijiang River.

Tourism activities include bamboo forest walking, cycling, rural accommodation, forest wellness, bamboo craft workshops, bamboo-shoot cuisine and family nature programmes. The county’s villages also provide opportunities to explore traditional paper making, bamboo household products, rural markets and sustainable forestry.

Deqing County

Deqing County (德庆县) administers Decheng Subdistrict (德城街道) and twelve towns: Xinxu (新圩), Huilong (回龙), Guanxu (官圩), Maxu (马圩), Gaoliang (高良), Mocun (莫村), Yongfeng (永丰), Wulong (武垄), Bozhi (播植), Fengcun (凤村), Yuecheng (悦城) and Jiushi (九市).

Located along the middle reaches of the Xijiang River, Deqing combines river plains, mountain valleys, historic architecture, folk religion and citrus agriculture. It is Zhaoqing’s leading destination for Dragon Mother culture and traditional Lingnan architecture.

Yuecheng Dragon Mother Temple (悦城龙母祖庙) is the principal centre of Dragon Mother worship in the Xijiang River basin. Its stone carving, brick carving, wood carving, ceramic decoration and grey sculpture represent outstanding Lingnan craftsmanship. Festival periods attract pilgrims from Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macao and overseas Chinese communities.

Deqing Academy (德庆学宫) preserves historic timber architecture and Confucian educational traditions. It can be combined with the Dragon Mother Temple during a one-day cultural itinerary. Deqing is also famous for tribute oranges and other citrus products, with seasonal orchard visits, fruit picking, rural markets and agricultural workshops forming an important part of its countryside tourism.

Panlong Gorge (盘龙峡) has historically been promoted for waterfalls, rafting and forest holidays, but visitors should verify the current operating status of individual facilities before arranging a dedicated journey.

Fengkai County

Fengkai County (封开县) currently administers Jiangkou Subdistrict (江口街道) and fourteen towns: Baigou (白垢), Dazhou (大洲), Yulao (渔涝), He’erkou (河儿口), Liandu (莲都), Xinghua (杏花), Luodong (罗董), Changgang (长岗), Pingfeng (平凤), Nanfeng (南丰), Dayukou (大玉口), Duping (都平), Jinzhuang (金装) and Chang’an (长安). The former Jiangchuan Town was incorporated into the enlarged Pingfeng Town in March 2026.

Fengkai lies at the Guangdong–Guangxi boundary and combines river scenery, karst geology, ancient trade routes, archaeological heritage and Lingnan cultural origins. The Hejiang Greenway Gallery Scenic Area (贺江碧道画廊景区) follows the lower Hejiang River through fields, wetlands, islands and villages, making it suitable for self-driving, cycling and riverside photography.

The county’s geological resources include Longshan Scenic Area (龙山景区), Dabanshi Rock (大斑石) and extensive limestone caves around He’erkou. Dabanshi is a monumental exposed rock formation and one of Fengkai’s most recognisable natural landmarks.

Fengkai also preserves important evidence of early human activity at Tongzhongyan Archaeological Site (垌中岩遗址). The wider cultural landscape includes ancient Guangxin history, the Xiao–He Ancient Route (潇贺古道), the Tea Boat Route (茶船古道), Xijiang and Hejiang river trade and Guangdong–Guangxi border communities.

Huaiji County

Huaiji County (怀集县) administers two subdistricts—Huaicheng Subdistrict (怀城街道) and Xingfu Subdistrict (幸福街道)—sixteen towns and one ethnic township. The towns are Lianmai (连麦), Zhongzhou (中洲), Qiashui (洽水), Fenggang (凤岗), Aozai (坳仔), Shidong (诗洞), Qiaotou (桥头), Dagang (大岗), Liangcun (梁村), Gangping (岗坪), Maning (马宁), Lengkeng (冷坑), Wenlang (汶朗), Gansa (甘洒), Yonggu (永固) and Lanzhong (蓝钟). Xiashuai Zhuang and Yao Ethnic Township (下帅壮族瑶族乡) is the only ethnic township in Zhaoqing.

Huaiji is a northern mountain county characterised by limestone peak forests, caves, forest landscapes, hot-spring resources and Zhuang and Yao ethnic culture. The Qiaotou region contains extensive karst peaks, caves and agricultural valleys, with Yanyan Cave Scenic Area (燕岩景区) representing the county’s best-known geological attraction. Visitors should verify the current opening status of individual cave sites before departure.

Xiashuai preserves Zhuang and Yao traditions through folk songs, traditional clothing, village festivals, dance, food, agriculture and community architecture. Cultural programmes should be arranged with respect for local customs and, where possible, with direct community participation.

Northern Huaiji also offers mountain walking, rural homestays, streams, waterfalls and forest-wellness experiences around Lanzhong and neighbouring mountain communities.

Complete Zhaoqing Administrative Division Table