Western Guangdong travel guide
粤西
Western Guangdong travel guide with a day by day itinerary, 14 places with tickets and opening hours, where to eat and stay, and how to get there.
14 places · In the guidebook: pages 2400–2410
Western Guangdong, Guangdong Province · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Western Guangdong in 5 days
- Day 1
- Panlong Gorge→
- Seven Star Crags→
- Dinghu Mountain
- Day 2
- Zhaoqing→
- Yunfu (Guo'en Temple)
- Day 3
- Yunfu→
- Lingxiao Rock→
- Hailing Island (accommodation)
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Maoming→
- Zhanjiang (Huguangyan→
- Techeng Island/Donghai Island)
The feel of the place
Western Guangdong’s greatest natural asset is its long, winding coastline, dotted with numerous high-quality beaches that make it a rich resource for coastal tourism. The region’s inland ethnic customs are also strong, and it has no shortage of cultural heritage sites.
Things to see
Within Guo'en Temple stands a lychee tree said to have been planted by Master Huineng himself. Known as the “Buddha Lychee,” it has weathered more than 1,300 years and remains lush and green. Each year, when the cicadas sing and the lychees ripen, its branches bend under the weight of the fruit.
Dinghushan National Nature Reserve
4–8 hours · ¥70
The foremost of the Five Famous Mountains of Lingnan, Dinghushan has the highest concentration of negative air ions in the country, so its reputation as a "natural oxygen bar" is well deserved. Stepping into the forested mountains and streams, you will find much to appreciate. Dinghushan has three scenic areas. Bilan Lake is strikingly blue and captivating, and Qingyun Temple draws crowds of pilgrims with chanting in the air. These two are the favourites of visitors. Baoding Garden, by contrast, has little to see beyond its giant cauldron.
Seven Star Crags
3–6 hours · Admission ¥70; boat fares to different sights range from ¥19–¥57
"Borrowing a ring of West Lake's waters, I move Yangshuo's Seven Star Crags here; willows line the embankment, and this picture stays forever between heaven and earth." These lines by Marshal Ye Jianying seem to capture the full poetic charm of the Seven Star Crags.
Panlong Gorge
In 2005, Panlong Gorge was named "Guangdong's Most Beautiful Place" by National Geographic China. The gorge is long and winding, with a rare cluster of more than 100 waterfalls, large and small, earning it the reputation of "rare in Asia, number one in Guangdong." Ancient trees grow thick throughout the scenic area, and the black tree fern (黑桫椤), a "living fossil" of the plant world, is found everywhere. It is a photography base for the Guangdong Photographers Association. Panlong Gorge rafting, known as "China's No. 1 Warrior Rafting," is the only scenic spot in China where rafting can be enjoyed in all four seasons, and it enjoys a very high reputation. At the foot of the mountain lies a beautiful lavender field, its deep purple blooms rolling like waves.
1–2 days · ¥60
Fangji Island
Known as the "Oriental Hawaii," the island is home to many bird species and grows exotic plants such as the dragon's blood tree, wild grape, wild banana and shanniezi. A century-old banyan tree on the island draws many visitors who come to make wishes and pray for blessings. Every day at 6:00, you can watch the sunrise over the sea from Xuri Pavilion (旭日阁).
¥180 (admission + round-trip ferry ticket)
China's First Beach
Strolling along the long sandy beach, under blue skies and above emerald sea, the scenery is magnificent. The swimming area has clear, shallow water, and professional lifeguards are stationed nearby. The seafront also offers beach chairs, beach buggies, banana boats, jet skis and other leisure activities.
2–4 hours
Romantic Coast
Romantic Coast lies along the mountains and by the sea, with lovely scenery. Blessed with steep hills, unusual rocks, coconut groves, silver beaches, bays, reef islands and fishing harbours, it is the only beach in China themed around "love" and "romance."
0.5–1 day · ¥80
Shabawan Bay
The beach has clear water and clean sand, earning it the nickname "China's Maldives." A Ferris wheel stands not far from the bay. Designated areas in the bay are open for snorkelling, with professional diving instructors explaining from the shore.
2–3 hours · ¥40
Huguangyan Scenic Area
This is China's only volcanic maar lake. It is said that the lake is home to giant fish and giant turtles. The water contains a high level of strontium, which is said to promote blood circulation and have a skin-whitening effect. The volcanic mud here is said to have a range of therapeutic benefits.
2–4 hours · ¥50
Donghai Island
Located on Zhanjiang's east coast and facing the South Pacific, the island's beaches rival Italy's "Golden Beach." The island offers a Tropical Bar Garden lined with coconut palms, full of southern charm, where visitors can relax. On the beautiful beaches, you can enjoy jet skis, beach buggies and other water and sand activities. If you're interested, you can also join local fishermen to haul in a big net and experience life in a fishing village.
4 hours
Techeng Island
"Techeng" is an ancient Yue word meaning a place of harmony and good fortune. Villagers on the island have made their living from fishing for generations. The island has fresh air and a spring-like climate year-round. Its attractions include more than 1,000 mu of national key-protected mangrove forest, some nearly 500 years old; the 400-year-old Xiantai Temple (冼太庙); sites of anti-Japanese revolutionary history; and white sand beaches and red rocks.
3–4 hours
Guo'en Temple
Founded as the site where Chan Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism, established the temple and passed away, Guo'en Temple is built against the mountain on a grand scale, with ancient trees towering overhead. Visitors can appreciate the charm of this old temple.
Free
Hailing Island
Surrounded by the sea on all sides, Hailing Island enjoys a pleasant climate and is known as the "Oriental Hawaii" and the "Southern Beidaihe." Dajiao Bay is a must-visit on the island. Nearby Dajiao Mountain is an excellent spot for watching the sunrise, and the "Sunset at Mawei" on Mawei Island is a must-see. Other natural and historical attractions include Shili Silver Beach, Taifu's Tomb, Linggu Temple and many more. Zhapo is also worth a mention: every morning the town bustles with activity, and visitors can sample delicious seafood.
1–2 days · Dajiao Bay: ¥27 (single entry), ¥48 (unlimited entry within two days)
Guangdong Maritime Silk Road Museum
The museum sits on Shili Silver Beach, with its back to the mountains and facing the sea, and is a landmark of Hailing Island. Its main focus is the Song-dynasty shipwreck "Nanhai No. 1," and it explores the course of underwater archaeology and prehistoric coastal culture.
1–2 hours · ¥70
Xiashan Sea-Viewing Promenade
Strolling along the promenade, watching the sea, climbing a giant ocean liner, feeling the sea breeze and listening to the waves has become one of the must-dos for visitors to Zhanjiang.
1–2 hours · Free
Getting there & around
Western Guangdong’s well-developed railways, highways and waterways will take you almost anywhere you want to go, and many towns have long had roads reaching every village.
Helpful Tip
Zhaoqing Chengdong Bus Station runs direct coaches to Guangzhou North Station, where you can catch high-speed trains.
Free Admission
Dinghu Mountain offers free admission before 5:30 and after 18:30.
Eat & drink
Fengkai's Xinghua chicken and Huaiji's millet chicken are must-tries. The millet chicken is said to be raised on millet alone, with no processed food at all, so its skin is golden, its meat tender and its flavour fresh. Even the most discerning Cantonese diners praise it.
Where to stay
As a key destination for tourism development in Guangdong in recent years, accommodation capacity is certainly not a concern.
Shopping
Bazi wine, made from a blend of fruits, is worth trying and bringing home, as is Baima tea and more. Huaiji's bird's nest wine is brewed from the golden-thread swiftlet nests that are abundant locally, turtle glue, angelica, cinnamon, ginseng, goji berries, astragalus and more than ten other precious medicinals, combined with aged Dizang rice wine. Both make excellent souvenirs.
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 2400–2410. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version