Zhaoqing is located in the midwest of Guangdong province beside the Xijiang River, bordering on Foshan and Jiangmen, adjacent to Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macao.

It is one of the main cities of Pearl River Delta, and Guangdong's important gateway to Southwest China, as well as the political, economic and cultural center of Xijiang River region.

Zhaoqing ancient city wall [Photo/zhaoqing.gov.cn]

The total land area of Zhaoqing is 14,900 square kilometers, accounting for approximately 8.31 percent of the total area of Guangdong province. As of 2022, Zhaoqing exercises a jurisdiction over three districts — Duanzhou, Dinghu, Gaoyao, and four counties — Guangning, Deqing, Fengkai, and Huaiji, as well as the county-level city of Sihui. Additionally, it oversees three functional areas, including Zhaoqing High-tech Zone, Zhaoqing New Area, and the Guangdong-Guangxi Cooperation Special Pilot Zone (Zhaoqing).

In 2023, the city achieved a regional GDP of 279.25 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.7 percent.

The Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve [Photo/zhaoqing.gov.cn]

With a history of more than 2,200 years, Zhaoqing is the cradle of Lingnan culture as well as the confluence of Lingnan and Guangfu culture. In January 1994, it was designated by the State Council as one of the third batch of National Historical and Cultural Cities.

Featuring Seven Star Rock and Dinghu Mountain, the city boasts 95 tourism spots, contributing to Zhaoqing's appeal as a comprehensive tourist destination.

Zhaoqing also has rich natural resources and abundant mineral reserves. It is well known for the production of Duanzhou inkstones, jade, gypsum and gold. Rich in rice, cassia, bamboo and fruit, the city is sometimes called the "Land of Fish and Rice".